CHENNAI: Coming down heavily on partymen who were disloyal to the DMK, its chief M Karunanidhi on Monday warned that betrayers would face severe action in due course.
Addressing a public meeting held at Mint here in the evening as part of a series of meetings against suspension of its members, he said those who had ditched the party in the Assembly polls would be identified and punished. “We must look back how we were defeated in the polls. Who else did betray us? All betrayers will have to face severe action in due course,” he warned.
Touching on the suspension of his party legislators, he said due consultations would be held with the decision-making bodies of the party and office-bearers at various levels to go ahead with protests. “This single meeting is not adequate to explain to the people what has been happening in the Assembly. I will convene the party’s executive committee and the general council to discuss the issue. Office-bearers of district and divisional levels are to be consulted before moving ahead. It may be a fast organised in a big way,” Karunanidhi said. Asking his party cadre to be prepared to face tough challenges in the future, he said the party could not be cowed down by pressure tactics. “Police restrictions or ruling party’s oppressive actions cannot frighten us,” he asserted.
DMK treasurer and Leader of Opposition MK Stalin said his party MLAs were fighting to uphold self-respect, which is one of the core principles of the Dravidian movement. Referring to the challenge thrown by Chief Minister to the DMK chief whether he was ready to visit the Assembly and speak up, Stalin said, “If necessary arrangements are done, our leader will come and speak up, for which you must ensure enough opportunity.”