By IANS
New Delhi : The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government Monday strongly backed ally and beleaguered Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, under attack from the Supreme Court for violating its order banning a shutdown in the state.
As pressure mounted on the chief minister – who Monday launched a fast along with several cabinet ministers in Tamil Nadu where life came to a virtual standstill as the DMK demanded completion of the Sethusamudram shipping canal – support came in the form of union Information Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.
“We will not even remotely do anything that could hurt the Tamil Nadu government,” he told reporters after a cabinet meeting.
The Supreme Court Monday threatened to dismiss the Tamil Nadu government and to slap contempt of court charges against Karunanidhi after it was informed that its orders against the shutdown were not being adhered to.
According to Dasmunsi, Tamil Nadu did not come up for discussion in the union cabinet.
However, he said firmly: “The DMK and PMK are integral parts of the UPA; we are committed to defend their interests.”
Dismissing the Supreme Court’s observation, the minister said: “It is not a direction nor a judgement. It is just an expression of opinion.”
He added that the DMK government had the right to express its views within the limitations of the law and constitution. “We cannot dance to the tune of the AIADMK,” Dasmunsi said.