Vaiko responds to EC notice on Karuna slur

MDMK chief Vaiko has replied to a notice that the Election Commission issued to him, seeking a response to the speech he gave on April 6 in which he criticised DMK chief M Karuanidhi and his family.
Close to two weeks after Vaiko made the speech, the EC sent him a notice on April 18 and he was asked to respond by 3pm on April 20. “Vaiko has replied and I have forwarded the same to the Election Commission,” said chief electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni.
The notice quoted Vaiko’s speech and said “prima facie EC is of the opinion that making of the statement by you violated the provisions of model code of conduct and the returning officer has already filed an FIR on April 11 under Sec 153A and Sec 125 of the Representation of People Act 1951”.
During his campaign meeting in Egmore constituency in the heart of Chennai, Vaiko had made rather tasteless remarks about Karunanidhi and his caste. “The notice has been issued based on your election campaign on April 6 in Egmore constituency, where you made a reference to the personal life of Karunanidhi,” said the notice.
Vaiko had apologized immediately after the meeting, and described his remarks as one of the biggest blunders of his lifetime, adding that he never intended to hurt Karunanidhi’s feelings.
Vaiko, reportedly, mentioned this apology in his reply to the EC. Meanwhile, Vaiko’s ally in PWF and VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said the issuance of the notice was unwarranted. “Issuing notice even after Vaiko explained himself and tendered an unconditional apology is unwarranted,” he told the media, while announcing candidates for RK Nagar and Kattumannarkoil in Cuddalore district.