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Karunanidhi happy over relations with Centre

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today described the present Centre-state relationship as 'good', and said it was not as bad as being put out in the media and alleged by Union ministers belonging to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham.

Talking to the media at the Madurai airport, he, however, declined to comment on AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalitha's demand that the Centre despatch another team to assess the law and order situation in the state.

The chief minister was in Madurai to participate in the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Madurai Bar Association.

He alleged that his predecessor, Jayalalitha, had not taken any initiative to augment power generation in the state. Stating that his government in 1989 had taken steps to start the South Chennai power project at Cheyyur, he charged her with not pursuing the matter later. There was 40 to 50 per cent power cut during the AIADMK regime, he added.

On the present power situation in Tamil Nadu, he said though Maharashtra and Punjab provided electricity to the state, there were some transmission problems. He also thanked Union Power Minister Rangarajan Kumaramangalam for giving power from other parts of the country, without any political considerations.

Commenting on Union minister Ram Jethmalani's reported remark against Jayalalitha -- that those coming out of jail should have been reformed -- he said Jethmalani was not the law minister and hence his views could not be taken into consideration. However, if necessary, his personal opinion would be sought for taking steps to reform those who went to jail, he added.

UNI

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