The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Jayalalithaa alleges crass opportunism by DMK on sugarcane issue

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Tamil Nadu

Jayalalithaa alleges crass opportunism by DMK on sugarcane issue

Special Correspondent

“Belated response came only after the ordinance provoked nationwide protest”

“AIADMK was the first to oppose Sugarcane Control (Amendment) Order 2009 Ordinance”
“Centre remaining silent on the spectrum scam ever since it broke out”

— Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CONNECTING: AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa at the party headquarters in Chennai on Friday.

CHENNAI: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa on Friday described as “crass opportunism,” the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s opposition to the Sugarcane Control (Amendment) Order 2009 Ordinance, and said the belated response came only after the ordinance provoked nationwide protest.

Talking to reporters at the party headquarters, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the AIADMK was the first party to oppose the ordinance. “I opposed it and demanded its withdrawal. Later, one by one, all the political parties started opposing it. The DMK opposed it only after it evoked nationwide protest. It is a very belated response. It never opened its mouth all these years.”

Accusing the Centre of remaining silent on the spectrum scam ever since it broke out, Ms. Jayalalithaa said she had not received a response from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to her letter demanding an inquiry.

“Our members in both Houses of Parliament are going to raise the issue. Our demand is that the CBI thoroughly investigate all aspects of the matter, particularly who the beneficiaries are. Our main demand is that in order to facilitate a free and fair inquiry Information Technology Minister Raja should be dropped from the Union Cabinet.”

On the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, she said at a time when the Union government could have played a meaningful role, it maintained silence. “At least now, the Centre should realise its mistake and come forward to make amends. It should do whatever it can to restore the rights of the Tamils. They should also be given equal rights on a par with other citizens.”

Asked about the demand for granting citizenship to the Sri Lankan Tamils living in India, she said it was up to the Centre to take a decision. “If they do it, we will support it.”

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