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DMK seeks permission to install M Karunanidhi's statue in Erode

Chennai: The Madras high court on Tuesday ordered notice to the state government on a plea moved by the DMK seeking direction to the state to permit installation of a full-size brass statue of former chief minister M Karunanidhi in Panneerselvam Park , Erode .

Justice G Jayachandran directed the state to file its response in two weeks.



According to S Muthusamy, Erode district secretary of the DMK, through a government order dated July 16, authorities had granted permission to install a full-size statue of former chief minister J Jayalalitha in the park, which was specially constructed for the purpose of installing statues of departed leaders.

An important feature of the park was that beneath the platform where the statues were installed, an air-conditioned library covering the entire area to the extent of 1,020 sqft has been constructed for the welfare of students, particularly those who appear for competitive exams, said senior counsel for the petitioner, P Wilson.

After examining all the aspects, according to the desire and wishes of the people of Erode and the DMK members of the district, a representation was given to the collector on August 10, 2018, seeking permission for installation of Karunanidhi’s statue in the area exclusively earmarked for installation of statues in the park, he added.

After several reminders, the district administration, Erode corporation and the highways department granted permission for installation of the statue and recommended that the principal secretary of municipal administration accord permission.

Since so far there was no response or grant of permission from the secretary, the petitioner moved the high court.

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