The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is opposed to the Sethusamudram project simply because it was mooted by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, party leader M. Karunanidhi said here on Saturday.
Addressing an election meeting, Mr. Karunanidhi said that the Sethusamudram scheme was the dream project of the DMK. It was announced by the party founder, C.N. Annadurai, and included in the election manifesto of the party in 1967. M.G. Ramachandran, former Chief Minister, had also supported the project.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa also supported the project initially and it was included in the AIADMK’s manifesto. Later, she changed her mind and now she approached the Supreme Court and obtained a stay, exposing her double standards.
Ms. Jayalalithaa was opposing the project because she felt that the credit would go to him [Mr. Karunanidhi] and T.R. Baalu, DMK candidate for the Thanjavur seat, Mr. Karunanidhi claimed.
“If Ms. Jayalalithaa is going to oppose every project I brought up, will she give up her right to hoist the national flag on Independence Day which was got by me as Chief Minister by writing to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,” he asked.
Dismissing the reported opposition to the candidature of Mr. Baalu, Mr. Karunanidhi said that there were no differences between Mr. Baalu and district secretary of the party S.S. Palanimanickam.
At this juncture, both Mr. Baalu and Mr. Palanimanickam displayed their camaraderie by raising their hands jointly in front of their leader. Ko. Si. Mani, senior leader, was also present.
