Black flag demo against Rajnath results in clash

Salem, Sep 27 (UNI) A black flag agitation by the members of the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam against Bhratiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh, resulted in a clash between the two parties, in which a two-wheeler was set ablaze.

Hours before the arrival of Mr Singh for the party's state council meeting here, Kazhagam members staged a black flag agitation, protesting against the attack on minorities in Orissa, only to clash with the BJP cadres.

Police had a tough time as the members of the two parties came to blows and pelted stones against each other. A two-wheeler of a Kazhagam activist was set ablaze in the melee.

BJP leader H Raja blamed the DMK Government for not providing adequate protection, when the Kazhagam members announced a black flag agitation.

He alleged the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam had openly declared that they would not allow the BJP to hold the meeting, but the government failed to provide police protection.

Later, talking to newspersons, Mr Singh said the BJP shared common views with the AIADMK on many issues, but ''neither the AIADMK sent any signal nor we have consulted them on the question of alliance.''.

''It is an alliance era and we will talk to them (AIADMK) when the time comes,'' Mr Singh said when asked about the prospects of BJP renewing its ties with the AIADMK.

The BJP had fought the 2004 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the AIADMK, but after the poll debacle, the AIADMK snapped ties with the BJP.

The BJP leader urged the Congress-led UPA Government to implement the sixth pay commission recommendations for the army. It had caused dissentions among army men and the government should bring pay parity, he said.

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