AIADMK MPs meet PM, seek more security for Jaya

A delegation of AIADMK MPs on Tuesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, asking him to direct the Tamil Nadu government to augment security to their leader J Jayalalithaa in the wake of death threats to her.

The delegation, led by AIADMK Parliamentary Party leader M Thambidurai, claimed that Singh promised the delegation that the Centre would take steps to beef up the security of Jayalalithaa.

On August 28, Jaya TV received a letter in which the sender warned Jayalalithaa to cancel her proposed Madurai rally next month and threatened to kill her and her followers in a bomb attack if she went ahead with it. They said Jaya TV received another letter this week.

The MPs, who also met Home Minister P Chidambaram, told Singh the two letters were almost identical in content and claimed to "defend the fortress of Union Minister M K Azhagiri and also hold the threat in a manner similar to what was done to Dinakaran office and its employees".

"It is surprising that Azhagiri and the chief minister of Tamil Nadu have been mute on the matter of death threat to Jayalalithaa and are maintaining an ominous silence," the MPs said in a memorandum submitted to the prime minister.

They said despite the threats, Jayalalithaa will address a public meeting in Madurai this month.

"We are sure you will augment the required security arrangements to our leader as well as to Jaya television," they said.
Thambidurai said, "Singh asked convey his regards to Madam Jayalalithaa. He also promised us that he will direct the state government to provide security."