Former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday said that the victory margin in the Tiruchi (West) by-election result was clearly in favour of the DMK, considering the fact that its candidate K.N. Nehru contested from prison.
“Former minister K.N. Nehru contested from the same constituency in the 2011 Assembly elections and lost by a margin of over 7000 votes. But, he faced the by-election from prison and it was like asking a person to run a race after tying his legs. Going by the victory margin, the outcome of the by-election is in favour of the DMK,” Mr. Karunanidhi told reporters.
Asked whether he would demand the resignation of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the wake of her appearance in the special court hearing the disproportionate wealth case in Bangalore, Mr. Karunanidhi said it was Ms. Jayalalithaa's habit to demand the resignation of others in all her statements.
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“I don't like to use the word. I am not demanding her resignation.”
He said that Ms. Jayalalithaa had appeared before the special court, bowing to the order of the Supreme Court after making many attempts to dispense with her presence in court.
On the demand for the exit of the DMK from the Congress-led UPA government over the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) issue, he said that naturally those who were not favourably disposed towards the presence of a regional party like the DMK at the Centre would make such demands at every opportunity.
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When his opinion was sought on the struggle of the local people against the KNPP, he said both the Centre and the State government should ensure the safety of the people.
He recalled former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's offer of help in this regard.