“CPI (M) protest to create obstacles”

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday criticised the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on the Natarajar temple and Uthapuram issues.

Addressing a function to mark the 107th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj here, Mr. Karunanidhi said the CPI (M) was organising an agitation to demand that the path to the temple in Chidambaram, said to have been used by Nandanar, a Saivaite saint, be thrown open. The agitation was not for Nandanar but to deliberately create obstacles to the execution of good schemes.

On the Uthapuram issue, he recalled how the wall, which separated a Dalit colony from caste Hindus for years in Uthapuram village of Madurai district was demolished [in May 2008] on his instruction. Caste Hindus, who were initially upset over the move, were later mollified and the issue was sorted out.

Alluding to the recent CPI (M) agitation on the matter, he said for some parties, if any issue had been resolved, they would become irrelevant. This was why they were instigating people in the area.

The Chief Minister also recalled how his government had ensured successful conduct of panchayat elections in Keeripatti, Pappapatti, Nattarmangalam and Kottakanchiyendal villages and organised a function in Chennai, under the chairmanship of CPI leader R. Nallakannu, to felicitate elected chairpersons of the villages.

Mr. Karunanidhi inaugurated the execution of developmental works undertaken by the School Education Department at a cost of about Rs.188.94 crore.