The opposition AIADMK on Sunday took strong exception to the Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy making an “expeditious announcement” for installing a statue for former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
Talking to reporters here, AIADMK Legislature party leader A. Anbalagan wanted to know what was the necessity for Mr. Narayanasamy to come out with such a statement pending a response to a plea from the AIADMK that a statue of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa should be installed in Puducherry. The AIADMK had made the request repeatedly on the floor of the House.
Mr. Anbalagan said that the Chief Minister at that time took the stand that there was a Supreme Court ban on installation of statues. “But now Mr. Narayanasamy has been making hasty announcements for installing a statue for Mr. Karunanidhi. The plan to erect the statue was made outside the Assembly although he should have combined the plan to have a statue for Ms. Jayalalithaa too.”
According to Mr. Anbalagan, in spite of no functionary of the DMK in Tamil Nadu coming out with such a plea for a memorial for the late DMK leader, Mr. Narayanasamy committed to erecting a statue and naming a road in Karaikal after Mr. Karunanidhi.
“This only showed that he is the spokesperson of the DMK and unbecoming of a Chief Minister. The AIADMK will write a letter to the AICC president, Rahul Gandhi, on the Chief Minister making politically motivated announcements,” Mr. Anbalagan alleged.
Mr. Anbalagan also said that the ongoing turf war between the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi was hitting the development of Puducherry. Nothing has been gained by such frequent confrontation and the earlier they put an end to such mutual accusations it would be better for the Union Territory, he said.
