The opposition AIADMK is conniving with ‘certain parties’ to topple the DMK regime using the Lankan Tamils’ issue, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Monday said.
"(AIADMK leader) Jayalalitha is conspiring to topple the (DMK) government with the connivance of ‘certain parties’ using the alibi of the Lankan Tamils issue," he said.
The chief minister said attempts are being made to divert attention from the issue and convert it into a confrontation between the DMK and the Congress by "wilfully spreading anarchy through violence."
Karunanidhi’s reaction came a day after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and PMK threatened to intensify agitations against the centre’s inaction in the Sri Lankan Tamil tangle.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan’s four day hunger strike, that ended Sunday, had resulted in over 70 buses being damaged by stone pelting and arson, drawing angry comments from the Congress.
"The government has to put down lawlessness and violence by fissiparous elements with an iron hand," D. Sudarsanam, the Congress legislature party leader. told reporters.
"Instead of fasts in support of the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, those really interested in the welfare of Lankan Tamils should cooperate with the centre. Attacks on national parties will not be tolerated henceforth," Sudarsanam added referring to an attack on Congress workers inside its headquarters here a fortnight ago.
Police arrested over 180 protesters belonging to the VCK for damaging government buses since Thursday. Eight persons have been detained under the National Security Act.
Meanwhile, police arrested 13 VCK volunteers in Puducherry, 180 km south of here after they attempted to defile a statue of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, reports said.
The Congress and the DMK regimes in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry survive on the support of legislators from these parties. VCK is part of the Democratic Progressive Alliance – an umbrella organisation of electoral allies in Tamil Nadu.
"Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) is avoiding a diplomatic embarrassment to the centre following the VCK threat to burn Sri Lankan flags Feb 4 by preparing grounds for the dalit party’s exit from the DPA," a DMK legislator said on condition of anonymity.
The threat to burn Lankan flags on the island’s national day was issued by VCK in protest against the alleged killings of innocent Tamil civilians in the ongoing military offensive in Sri Lanka.
Diplomatic sources said Monday a letter had been sent to the state government requesting the prevention of the occurrence.
While Director General of Police K.P. Jain declined to comment on the matter, police sources confirmed the receipt of the letter.
Orders from the government in this regard were awaited, the sources added.
Meanwhile, movie director Seeman and two others, arrested for making inflammatory speeches, were granted conditional bail by the Madras High Court Monday.
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