Karunanidhi serves legal notice to Vaiko for false allegations

Chennai, March 25: DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Friday sent a legal notice to MDMK chief Vaiko for defaming him and demanded withdrawal of the false statement issued by the latter against him along with expressing regret.

The legal notice is against Vaiko alleging that DMK had offered DMDK led by actor-turned-politician A. Vijaykant 80 seats to contest in the May 16 legislative assembly polls and Rs.500 crore in cash if he joined the DMK alliance.

Vaiko made the allegation in Madurai while speaking to reporters there.

In his legal notice, Karunanidhi said he was shocked to hear the false and defamatory statement made by Vaiko before a large group of media.

"Our client (Karunanidhi) states that your statement is a motivated one made with the only intention to damage the reputation of our client and to defame him in the eye of the public in Tamil Nadu, the DMK party men and supporters," the notice stated.

The notice demanded Vaiko to withdraw his false charge against Karunanidhi within seven days and express regret, failing which appropriate civil and criminal action would be taken against the MDMK leader.

The DMDK party was actively pursued by DMK, Bharatiya Janata Party and the four-party bloc People Welfare Front (PWF).

Till the last moment, Karunanidhi had expressed hope that DMDK would join the DMK alliance.

However, Vijaykant on Wednesday announced his decision to join PWF consisting of MDMK, VCK and the Left parties.

IANS