CM flays BJP demand

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JUNE 4. The Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, condemned the BJP demand for recalling the Governor, Ms. Fathima Beevi, for having invited her to form the Government.

Talking to newsmen at the airport before her departure to New Delhi this evening, the Chief Minister said the Governor had acted as per the provisions of the Constitution. Questioning the Governor's action, she said, was condemnable.

(The State working committee of the BJP, at its meeting at Mamallapuram on Sunday, adopted a resolution, demanding the withdrawal of the Governor for inviting Ms.Jayalalitha to form the Government despite her electoral disqualification.)

Responding to a question whether there was any political significance in her trip to New Delhi, the Chief Minister said it was purely a routine visit. Describing her proposed meeting with Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, as a courtesy call, she said it was natural for a newly-elected Chief Minister to call on the Prime Minister.

Earlier she told reporters at the Secretariat that it would not be proper for her to discuss the issues she was going to raise with him, prior to the meeting.

Ms. Jayalalitha described the public interest litigation in the Supreme Court questioning her appointment as the Chief Minister by the Governor as `politically motivated'.

The Chief Minister was accompanied, among others, by her associate, Ms. Sasikala, the Education Minister, Mr. M. Thambi Durai, the Chief Secretary, Mr. P. Shankar.

`Political conspiracy'

The Dravida Kazhagam general secretary, Mr.K.Veeramani, has criticised the BJP for its demand for recall of the Governor.

In a statement here today, he said the party resolution created a suspicion that there was a `political conspiracy' behind the move. ``It should be condemned by all those having faith in democracy.''

He suspected an ulterior motive behind the BJP's action as the Governor belonged to a minority community.

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Section  : Southern States
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