'Karunanidhi failed to back Kalam'

MADURAI: DMDK leader and actor Vijaykanth has charged DMK president M Karunanidhi of having played a major role in preventing APJ Abdul Kalam, a Tamilian, from becoming the President for a second term.

Addressing an election campaign in Madurai West assembly constituency on Sunday, he said the DMK chief claimed to be an ardent saviour of Tamils, but had not supported Kalam's candidature for a second term. He recalled that it was Karunanidhi who prevented G K Moopanar, another Tamilian, from becoming Prime Minister a few years ago.

"The DMK chief's action in not helping Kalam become President again is a big betrayal of Tamils and their interests", the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam leader said.

Vijaykanth accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) of having entered into an agreement during the Rajya Sabha elections. They did not want new entrants in politics as they feared they would not be able to indulge in corruption if other parties came to power, he said.