Madurai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Thursday said the Election Commission should remain neutral and unbiased in taking action against alleged violations of the model code of conduct like the judiciary, for the April 13 Assembly polls.
Denying that he had said EC was biased, he told reporters that EC officials should remain neutral in taking actions against alleged violations of the model code.
"The EC should function in a neutral manner just like the judiciary. Even the courts are bound to falter at some point due to confusion." Asked about the Opposition targeting DMK's South Zone Organising secretary and his son M K Alagiri, he said they probably did not like his popularity as he had implemented many development schemes in Madurai.
Exuding confidence that DMK led front would win comfortably in the polls, he said party leaders like Alagiri were very much in the field and that was why they had claimed DMK front would win 200 seats.
He blamed the previous Jayalalithaa regime for the present power shortage, saying its 'indifferent' attitude was responsible for the plight. The problem would disappear as more projects were being planned and would be set up soon, he said.
Extending an olive branch to MDMK, floated by Vaiko after he was suspended from the DMK in 1992, he said he had been receiving reports of MDMK workers extending support to DMK candidates in many places. "This is an indication that all Dravidian forces will come together soon. Some bad forces created a wedge and now the forces will come together."
On Jayalalithaa's statement that Tamil Nadu should be freed from family rule, he shot back "Let her retrieve the jewels lying in a court first."
On criticism against DMK for using popular comedian Vadivelu in the party campaign to lambast Jayalalithaa, he said "a "comedian is not necessary; people are enough to defeat her".
He said the government would study the possibility of allowing minorities to build places of worship in privatelands, like Hindus if it was approved by local bodies.
There was also a master plan to protect the sea coast against Tsunami attacks in future. Karunanidhi said there was no plan to make changes in the historic "Yanai Malai" (hill) at Othakadai near Madurai
The move to convert Yanai Malai, where a cave temple and Jain sculptures are located, into an architectural park had come under severe criticism, and the government had backed out.
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