Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday termed Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran's resignation “something that was long overdue.”
“He [Mr. Maran] should have resigned long ago or Prime Minister [Manmohan Singh] should have made him resign long ago,” she told reporters here.
To a query whether she would take action against Kalanidhi Maran and his companies in the light of complaints being filed, she replied in the affirmative. “Whatever complaints have been received, whatever evidence has come to light, will be acted upon with all seriousness.”
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Asked about the fate of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, she said “the end of the DMK has already been decided by people.”
Karunanidhi blames the media
Later in the day, DMK president M. Karunanidhi said: “The reign of the media is prevailing in the world, especially India. If they want, they can discredit anyone. Dayanidhi Maran is no exception.”
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To another question, he said his party would stand by Mr. Maran.
“No” was his reply when asked whether there was any contact between him and the Prime Minister, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the Union government.
On the possibility of his party seeking replacements for Mr. Maran and A. Raja [who resigned in November last] in the Union Cabinet, Mr. Karunanidhi said nothing could be said now.