M Karunanidhi slams Jayalalithaa on Koodankulam nuclear plant issue

CHENNAI: DMK Chief M Karunanidhi today took on arch rival and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for blaming the Centre's 'inaction' for stalemate in the Koodankulam nuclear plant issue, saying it is 'pitiable' to see those who criticised him for writing to the Prime Minister on Sri Lankan issue doing so now.

Accusing the Tamil Nadu government of adopting an "ostrich like attitude" on the KNPP issue, he said it is "a pitiable situation" to see those who criticised him for writing to the Prime Minister on the Sri Lankan issue resorting to it now.

On Jayalalithaa's remarks that the Centre was trying to blame her government for the standoff on the issue,he said DMK wants both the centre and state to ensure all safety aspects are implemented and people are not affected in any way.

"Both the centre and the state governments should ensure safety to the people before implementing the project',he said.

Karunanidhi said he was willing to give his suggestions on the Koodankulam project, if the Centre sought his views on it.

On Jayalalithaa's demand that the Centre immediately notify recommendations of the Cauvery Water dispute tribunal, he said she was raising the issue as an attempt to get an adjournment on her wealth case in a Bangalore court on October 20.

Alleging widespread electoral malpratices in the first phase of civic polls in the state yesterday, he said DMK would move court to get relief.