Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Sunday made an appeal to his party's rebel candidates to withdraw from the contest and uphold the principles “duty, dignity and discipline.”
Recalling the words of C.N. Annadurai, the founder of the DMK, that violation of discipline would cause greater damage to the party Mr. Karunanidhi said the anti-party activity of some had saddened him. “The activities of those who have betrayed the party that gave them an identity have brought tears from my tears,” he said adding that he was pained by the action of those who had preferred to contest against the party's official candidates.
He said the only way for them to prove their unflinching loyalty was to withdraw from the contest against its official candidates.
TNCC president K.V. Thangkabalu also called upon rebel candidates to quit the race and work for the victory of the official candidates.