Karunanidhi hits out at Jayalalithaa over criticism of handling Coimbatore serial blasts

CHENNAI: The war of words between DMK supremo M Karunanidhi and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa over the May Day twin blasts at Central railway station escalated, with the former hitting out at his arch rival over her criticism of his handling of the 1998 serial blasts in Coimbatore that left 60 people dead.

While a number of political leaders had issued statements on the blasts, Jayalalithaa observed that he lacked any moral right to criticise her government as he, during his tenure as Chief minister, had failed to prevent bomb blasts in the state in 1997 and 1998.

Seeking to give a 'clarification' on how he managed the situation post the blasts, Karunanidhi recalled he had immediately contacted the then Prime Minister, the late I K Gujral, who had promised his state all assistance.

He had visited Coimbatore the following day, accompanied by the then Tamil Maanila Congress founder G K Moopanar and a host of other officials, and met and consoled the blast victims undergoing treatment, besides announcing cash relief to the dead and injured.

On the day of the blasts, Jayalalithaa had demanded his resignation at an election rally at Puthukottai. Later at Manapparai, she insisted that even she had no security, the DMK chief said in a statement here.

"While she has mentioned about the Coimbatore blasts, what was she doing after the blasts in the capital (Chennai)," he said, asking if she had met the injured.

While Jayalalithaa had made such remarks, including demanding his resignation, "I am not going to talk like that now," he said, adding that all that he had pointed out was that proper questioning of arrested terror operative Mohammed Zakir Hussain could have revealed the plot behind the Bangalore-Guwahati Express at Central railway station on May 1.

"She has issued a statement saying this is wrong," he said, and demanded to know why she had not responded to his comments about water shortage and other issues. He also sought her response on reports that there was an intelligence input on a possible attack in the future.

He also took exception to her describing him as an "armchair critic", saying he had extensively travelled the state for the past many days as part of the election campaign and met people.