'DMK should explain interference by NGOs in central decisions'

Tiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu), March 18 (IANS) DMK president M.Karunanidhi and his party which was part of the central government for nine years should explain the kind of interference by NGOs in central government's policy making, said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa.

Addressing an election rally here, around 175 km from Chennai, Jayalalithaa, also the AIADMK general secretary, citing DMK's election manifesto said: "DMK and its president Karunanidhi have moral responsibility to explain to the people whether the central government of which it was a part took policy decisions based on interference by non-governmental organisations."

The DMK in its manifesto said it believes that the crisis in repayment of external debt and inflation is due to the "increase in interference of non-governmental institutions in the policy decisions of the government and as a result the scare amongst the investors".

"Hence the DMK will urge the centre to make appropriate efforts to control the interference on non-governmental institutions in the policy decisions of the centre," the DMK said in its manifesto.

Citing this, Jayalalithaa said Karunanidhi should explain whether any NGO pressurised the central government to take policy decisions in their favour and if yes, their names and the kind of policy decisions that were taken.

She said the general elections is not just to effect a government change at the centre.

"It will change the fate of country and its people," she said.