Unveiling portrait of Karunanidhi in the new Assembly Complex is against democratic norms: Jayalalithaa

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Supremo of the main opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's(AIADMK) Ms Jayalalithaa on Monday vehemently criticized the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who has decided to unveil his portrait in the New State Assembly complex and also in the old one.

"Decision taken to this effect by the State Cabinet chaired by Karunanidhi was against the tradition of the state Assembly and democratic norms", Jayalalithaa said in a statement.

Jayalalithaa further said, as per tradition only portraits of leaders, who remain in the hearts of the people even after their death are unveiled in the House. That was how the portraits of late leaders Anna, Kamaraj and M G R find a place in the Assembly.

When portraits of eminent leaders were unveiled in Parliament House complex, the Committee on installation of portraits and statues of national leaders and parliamentarians, headed by the Lok Sabah Speaker and comprising Opposition leaders take a decision, she pointed out.

Similarly, following pleas from the then Opposition Congress leaders, a portrait of M G R was unveiled in the Tamil Nadu Assembly hall, she claimed.

However, in the case of Karunanidhi, the State Cabinet had taken a unilateral decision, without getting the consent of the Assembly and consulting the allies and seeking the support of the Opposition, she lambasted.

The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Karunanidhi in its last meeting at the old Secretariat, last week had decided to honor Mr Karunanidhi for his participation in the assembly for more than 50 years by unveiling his portrait in the new as well as the old Assembly halls.

- Asian Tribune -