DMK resorting to witch-hunting: BJP

CHENNAI, JAN 20: BJP general secretary M Venkaiah Naidu today alleged that the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu was indulging in a witch-hunt...

CHENNAI, JAN 20: BJP general secretary M Venkaiah Naidu today alleged that the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu was indulging in a witch-hunting campaign against AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalitha, instead of concentrating on governance.

“Most of the time the Government is doing only witch-hunting against the lady,” he said and wondered why the DMK Government, which was purportedly keen on rooting out corruption, had remained silent over the multi-crore Indian Bank scam.

On the Central Government’s sudden opposition to the special courts set up to try cases against Jayalalitha and her erstwhile Cabinet colleagues, he said the Centre was not creating any legal hurdle for the speedy disposal of the cases. “The Centre has only clarified its legal position”, he asserted.

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As for Union Law Minister’s threat the DMK Government would be dismissed if the latter failed to furnish the details of the corruption cases against Jayalalitha, Naidu said: “whether violation of Centre’s directive is suffice (fordismissal) has to be seen”.

Asked why Jayalalitha had suddenly warmed up to the BJP Naidu quipped: “She has always been warm”. But why had Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee turned cold to the BJP? “Climatic conditions vary”, he laughed. However, he hastened to add that the BJP would not want to join issue with any of its allies.

As for Mamata Banerjee’s strident demand for the Railways portfolio for her party representative, he said Prime Minister Vajpayee was capable of sorting out the issue.

He went on to assert that the allies of the BJP would not desert the party, though the Congress was trying to wean them away. “No question of our allies deserting the BJP. This is because the allies are either opposed to the Congress or opposed to the parties which are opposed to the BJP.”