The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Wednesday welcomed the decision of Kudankulam protesters to end their indefinite fast after getting an assurance from the State government about a Cabinet resolution on the issue.
Asked for his reaction to the development, following an assurance by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa that the Cabinet would pass a resolution favouring their demands, DMK president M. Karunanidhi told reporters that it was good news.
The Centre and State governments had the responsibility to fulfil their promises and not disappoint the locals who had come together for a constructive cause.
Asked if he expected the support of the Congress in Tiruchi (West) Assembly by-election for which his party has named K.N. Nehru as its candidate, the DMK chief said, “I don't know.”
To a question on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's fast for communal harmony and BJP leader L K Advani's proposed yatra against corruption, he said anyone in the country could undertake a fast but such measures should help end poverty among the masses.
In a letter addressed to DMK workers, Mr. Karunanidhi stated that the government was hiding information from parties and people about the reservation of constituencies for women and Dalits in the local body elections. The voters were confused as they had no knowledge as to which category their constituencies came under.
The parties were also confused as they could not obtain applications from candidates desiring to contest the polls.
Applications had been received from candidates who thought that a particular constituency fell under general category but the government had changed it either as a reserved constituency or allocated it for women.
Now, the parties were forced to get new applications.
The ruling party, which has pre-empted its allies by announcing its list of candidates without consulting them, planned to win the local body polls by hiding facts on the nature of constituencies, he alleged.
