Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi clarified on Thursday that the proposed government cable company would function only as a  multi-system operator (MSO) and would not pose competition to the existing individual cable TV operators.

Referring to fears expressed by private cable TV operators that  they might fall prey to the war between the Karunanidhi family and the Maran brothers,  Mr Karunanidhi said that the government was aware of “secret plans” to net cable TV operators by making promises and instigating them.   

On the allegation Mr Karunanidhi, who  opposed the previous Jayalalitha Government’s move to take over cable TV operations, was now involving the Government in the business, he said the DMK opposed the AIADMK Government plan on the ground that the State Government had no power to take over cable TV. His government was not taking over cable TV business but entering it as another player, he said.

In an apparent reference to Sumangali Cable Vision , Mr Karunanidhi said,“Some people are trying to scuttle the government initiative so as to extend their monopoly throughout the State and threatening cable operators.” He also said that representatives of cable trade could  meet him any time.