Karunanidhi's portrait issue: Conventions created by people time to time-Congress replies to Jyayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Congress President K V Thangabalu while commenting on the allegation made by AIADMK supremo Ms J Jayalalithaa on unveiling portrait of the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in the old and new assembly complex, said that the conventions created by people time to time and there was nothing wrong in the state cabinet decision to unveil Chief Ministers Portrait.

Mr Thangabalu also pledged support for the unveiling of the portrait of the Chief Minister.

A day after former Chief Minister Ms Jayalalithaa took objection to the decision to unveil the portrait, Thangabalu said in a statement that the Congress fully supported the state cabinet's decision in this regard.

Karunanidhi had 50 years of history to his credit and has set a record by becoming the Chief Minister of the state for the fifth term, Thangabalu said and added, “No convention would be violated if his portrait was unveiled.”

Further he said Ms Jayalalithaa was totally wrong to say that the state Cabinet's decision to unveil the portrait of the Chief Minister was against the norms of democracy and went against the convention of the Assembly. ''This can not be accepted,'' he added.

Stating that conventions were created by people in accordance with time, situations and circumstances, he said there were instances when conventions had been changed when it was necessary.

''If the unveiling of the portrait of Mr Karunanidhi is against convention, the convention itself would be wrong and a new convention can be created to unveil the portrait,'' he said.

Thangabalu said he was not expressing this view as a leader of alliance party, but on behalf of the Congress party. ''I take pride in saying this is the view of the Congress Party,'' he added. The Congress leader said Ms Jayalalithaa might have differences in politics, but it would not augur well for her to oppose the unveiling of the portrait.

He said Mr Karunanidhi had been working tirelessly for the welfare of the people and never showed political animosity when the question of honouring freedom fighters and national leaders came.

The Congress would even welcome installing a statue of Mr Karunanidhi near the new Assembly complex, scheduled for inauguration on March 13 by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the presence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi for his achievements, he said.

- Asian Tribune -