rediff.com
rediff.com
News
      HOME | NEWS | KARUNANIDHI'S ARREST | REPORT
July 1, 2001
0015 IST

NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
THE STATES
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES
US ARCHIVES
SEARCH REDIFF

 Search the Internet
         Tips
E-Mail this report to a friend
Print this page

Jaya calls Sun TV footage a 'stunt'

Under attack for the manner in which Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi was arrested early on Saturday on corruption charges, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha issued a statement late in the evening denying charges of police excesses.

In a lengthy statement, she said the Tamil Nadu government, in arresting Karunanidhi, had acted well within the law. "On the contrary, it is Karunanidhi, Stalin (Karunanidhi's son and Madras mayor) and their colleagues who have been consistently breaking the laws," she said.

Jayalalitha also denied that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had tried to contact her to seek details of Karunanidhi's arrest.

"The prime minister chose to speak to Chief Secretary P Shankar and asked him to convey the message to me. He asked the chief secretary to send a detailed report and keep him informed about the latest developments. The prime minister did not mention that he would like to speak to me," she said.

A detailed report on what actually transpired during Karunanidhi's arrest would be sent to the prime minister, she added.

On the National Democratic Alliance's demand for the imposition of President's rule in the state, Jayalalithaa said a state government could be dismissed only if there was a complete breakdown of law and order. "No such situation has arisen in Tamil Nadu. Law and order is being maintained very well. Even after the arrest of Karunanidhi, Stalin and others, the state is calm and peaceful, except for a few sporadic incidents of stone throwing," she said.

She alleged that the Sun TV footage of Karunanidhi's arrest was a "deliberate and stage-managed stunt." She said the voice heard in the tape yelling "attempts are being made to kill me" was not Karunanidhi's voice. "A close up shot of Karunanidhi's face in the clipping reveals he was not speaking at all. His lips did not move," she said.

Denying the charge that Karunanidhi was beaten up, she said it was (Union Minister Murasoli) Maran who pushed him, causing the former chief minister to stagger and lose balance. In order to prevent him from falling, policemen lifted him up, she said.

PTI

ALSO SEE:
Slide Show: Arresting developments

Karunanidhi's Arrest: The Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report

ADVERTISEMENT      
NEWS | MONEY | SPORTS | MOVIES | CHAT | CRICKET | SEARCH | RAIL/AIR | NEWSLINKS
ASTROLOGY | BROADBAND | CONTESTS | E-CARDS | ROMANCE | WOMEN | WEDDING
SHOPPING | BOOKS | MUSIC | PERSONAL HOMEPAGES | FREE EMAIL| MESSENGER | FEEDBACK