Jaya accuses Karunanidhi of attempting to intimidate her

CHENNAI: Accusing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of attempting to intimidate her, AIADMK supreme Jayalalithaa on Thursday said preventing her from discharging democratic duties amounted to 'strangling of democracy.'

Referring to the Chief Minister's remark that her statements attracted punishment under criminal laws, she said his 'threat' was equivalent to the Rowlette Act brought in by the British Empire to contain the Freedom movement.

Stating that the Indian Constitution had guaranteed freedom of expression, she said agitations organised by opposition parties on public issues would not be a criminal act.

Jayalalithaa said Karunanidhi had become apprehensive about the growing people's support for her and the party. "As a Leader of the opposition, I have every right to think about people and struggle for their welfare. Whether I am in power or out of it, I spend my time only for people's issues," she added.