DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Saturday questioned the demand by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for naming the new domestic terminal of the Chennai Airport after former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, contending that she had once spurned the film world’s request to name a ‘film city’ here after Sivaji Ganesan or MGR.
Reacting to Ms. Jayalalithaa’s refusal to attend the inauguration, Mr. Karunanidhi said the airport already bore the name of former Chief Minister Kamaraj and the Nadar community had protested against any move to change it.
The domestic terminal was named after Kamaraj and the international terminal after C.N. Annadurai.
“The domestic terminal has only been expanded and it already bears the name of Kamaraj.”
On Ms. Jayalalithaa’s claim that her government had not targeted films made by his family members, Mr. Karunanidhi said Oru Kal Oru Kannadi starring his grandson Udhayanidhi Stalin was denied tax concession and a petition was filed in the High Court seeking relief.
“The case is still pending. Neer Paravai was also excluded from tax concession and got relief through the court. Same is the case with Kanna Laddu Thinga Aasaya. ”
Mr. Karunanidhi said there were reports that there would be a problem in the distribution of rice through PDS as there was no direction from the State to the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation to procure paddy.
“The Governor’s address is also silent on how much rice has been procured. Already there is a drop in the supply of other essential commodities, rice supply also may plunge into a crisis.”
