“I have not done anything wrong and we will face the case legally,” said former Transport Minister K.N. Nehru after his arrest here.
Speaking to reporters before being taken to Cuddalore, Mr. Nehru implied that the case was politically motivated. “The important reason is that we had worked hard for DMK’s victory (in the elections),” he said. He also added that DMK cadres in Tiruchi district were the worst affected by the State government’s vindictive measures.
Mr. Nehru claimed that K. Srinivasan, the complainant, was present during the opening of the Kalaignar Arivalayam and had even presented a shawl to the then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Subsequently, a family wedding of the doctor was held at the Kalaignar Arivalayam. The land itself was bought during the previous AIADMK regime, he said.
Alagiri’s visit:
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers M.K. Alagiri, who visited the Tiruchi Central Prison to meet his party associate ‘Attack’ Pandi soon after Mr. Nehru’s arrest, observed that the arrest was also an achievement of the 100-day rule of the AIADMK and termed it as vindictive action. He cautioned that the DMK, once back to power, would take action against the officers responsible for foisting cases against DMK men.
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D. Napoleon also accompanied Mr. Alagiri.
