File photo of M Karunanidhi.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi today sent a legal notice to MDMK chief Vaiko warning of civil and criminal proceedings against him for his allegation that the
former's party had offered money to DMDK over forging electoral alliance.
"On behalf of our client M Karunanidhi we call upon you to withdraw your false accusation made against our client and express your regret," Advocate R Dhevi said in the notice to Mr Vaiko which was circulated to the media.
Noting that Mr Vaiko should withdraw the false accusation and express regret for the defamatory statement within seven days, she said, "otherwise our client M Karunanidhi will be constrained to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings against you for defamation."
Reacting to the notice, Mr Vaiko said "I will face it legally in the court."
Speaking to Polimer Tamil news channel, he said "I welcome his (Karunanidhi's) action."
Earlier in the day, Mr Vaiko had claimed DMK had "offered" 80 (assembly) seats and Rs 500 crore to Vijayakant for joining its alliance while BJP had offered him a Rajya Sabha MP post and a ministerial berth in the union cabinet."
"Our client Karunanidhi states that he was shocked to hear the false and defamatory statement made by you accusing him of offering money to Thiru Vijayakant, leader of DMDK for joining as an alliance party along with DMK."
The statement has been made by you to the media, "knowing very well that the same is false." The notice said, Mr Vaiko's statement "is a motivated one made with the only intention to damage the reputation of our client and to defame him in the eyes of the public in Tamil Nadu, the DMK party men and supporters."
Also, it said Premalatha Vijayakanth has "denied and controverted" Mr Vaiko's statement and said there was no talk between the DMK and DMDK. Premalatha had told reporters to seek comments of Mr Vaiko over the issue (again) and quipped that it was his opinion. Days ago, DMDK chief Vijayakanth had asserted that that his party had never bargained with any political party over alliances.
"Your conduct of not immediately withdrawing your defamatory statement and regretting to have made a false statement of accusation against Karunanidhi shows that your intention is only to defame and bring disrepute to our client at this crucial time when elections have been announced."
Further, the notice said MDMK itself had fought election in alliance with DMK and "on that ground you (Vaiko) are aware that our client does not indulge in such unethical electoral practice of offering money for alliance partners."