Karunanidhi in B'lore on week-long visit

From the Bengaluru International Airport, Karunanidhi went to a farmhouse located at Vaderahalli, Kanakapura taluk. He will stay there till August 9. The farmhouse belongs to his daughter Tamizh Selvi.

The farmhouse has been provided with high security. Policemen from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are camping in the area. Karunanidhi’s visit to the state has gained importance in the wake of the proposed unveiling of Thiruvalluvar’s statue in Bangalore.

All-party meet

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has convened a meeting of leaders of all prominent political parties, litterateurs, and representatives of various pro-Kannada organisations for August 3, to elicit their opinion on the unveiling of the Thiruvallavur statue.

Earlier, the government had announced that the statue would be unveiled on August 9. But on Saturday, the Chief Minister’s Office said that no date has been fixed. In the meeting, the CM will seek the participants’ opinions, and a decision will be taken later.

‘Don’t oppose’

Kannada Development Authority Chairman Mukhayamantri Chandru on Saturday said that there should be no opposition to unveil the statue of Thiruvalluvar. “The Tamil Nadu government has agreed to install the statue of saint-poet Sarvajna in Chennai. Similarly, Karnataka should unveil Thiruvalluvar’s statue in Bangalore. Such development will help maintain cordial relations between the two states,” he said.

Protest

Several pro-Kannada activists made a futile bid to stage a protest at Sadahalli on Devanahalli Road to block the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi from entering Bangalore City. They staged a road blockade as a mark of protest against the Tamil Nadu government’s stand pertaining to Cauvery water dispute and Hongenkal water project.