Our minority government is for minorities: Karunanidhi

COIMBATORE - The Tamil Nadu government may be by the “minority” DMK but it is for the minorities, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Monday said.

“We are not ashamed of being called as a minority government. I am happy to hear my government being called as minority government. Ours is the only government that fights for the rights of minorities - Christians and Muslims. We will raise our voice in their support in all the forums,” Karunanidhi said, addressing a public rally here.

He was obliquely referring to AIADMK general secretary J.Jayalalithaa’s constant barb terming the DMK government as minority government.

Explaining that he had requested the party cadre to remove the party flags during the World Classical Tamil Conference here recently so that the delegates did not think that the event is held for the benefit of the DMK, he said: “I would have hurt your feelings then. Now I seek your pardon by requesting you to fly the party flags without any restraint.”

Deputy Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, listing out the welfare measures taken by the DMK government since it came to power in 2006, said: “At the recent chief ministers’ conference in Delhi, all the chief ministers, after enquiring about our leader’s health, invariably enquire about the free health insurance and housing scheme announced by this government.”

He said the government has allocated Rs.1,800 crore in the current year’s budget to convert around 300,000 huts into concrete houses free of cost.

–Indo Asian News Service