Janata Party president slams Karunanidhi for bandh call

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for calling a bandh to put pressure on the Centre to ensure ceasefire in Sri Lanka and termed such calls as "contempt of the Constitution".

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for calling a bandh to put pressure on the Centre to ensure ceasefire in Sri Lanka and termed such calls as "contempt of the Constitution".

HT Image

In a statement, Swamy demanded imposition of President's Rule in Tamil Nadu and rushing of Central forces there to assist police in maintaining law and order in the state.

Swamy said the Tamil civilians in the no-fire zone have already escaped from the LTTE-held areas to safer areas. He claimed that LTTE is finished and its chief Prabhakaran will be taken dead or alive within a few days.

Calling a bandh is unnecessary at this time when the general election is being held in the country, he said. Tomorrow is the last date for filling nomination for Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

The bandh call by Karunanidhi at the time of elections is gross dereliction of duty and "contempt of the Indian Constitution" since the chief minister has taken oath to uphold the Constitution, he said.

Swamy also demanded arrest of leaders like Vaiko and Nedumaran holding them responsible for the prevailing law and order in the state.