2009 Poll Prospects And Alignments

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Still time left to safeguard unity: Karunanidhi
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Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Reacting to the decision of the Left parties to withdraw support to the UPA government, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday said there was still time to safeguard the unity and integrity of the country.

“[There is still time to] give up the nuclear deal. [There is also time to] consider that there is no need to give it up [the nuclear deal],” he said in response to a question. Asked if he had belief or he had desired that the Left would support the UPA after having withdrawn support, Mr. Karunanidhi said: “I have the desire.” Mr. Karunanidhi ruled out a trip to New Delhi at this juncture and said that he did not consider it necessary.

In a statement earlier, Mr. Karunanidhi said that safeguarding the country was much more important than the pride of movements, adding that this was the appeal that he would make on the issue.

He was aware that the leaders of the Central government and the Left parties were acutely aware of the negative outcomes in a situation like this.
“Not upset or angry”

Answering questions from journalists, Mr. Karunanidhi said that he was saddened over the development. But he was not upset or angry with any party at a personal level. CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat had called him around 1 p.m. to convey the decision of the Left parties, he added.

Asked what he had said in response, Mr. Karunanidhi said: “Whatever has happened, has happened. But we should not give room to communal violence.”

Mr. Karat responded by saying that he accepted that thought, Mr. Karunanidhi said.