December 21, 2003	Sunday	Shawwal 26, 1424

CHENNAI, Dec 20: A south Indian party on Saturday pulled its 11 MPs out of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s coalition to protest a tough federal anti-terror law it claims has been misused.

The withdrawal of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will not pose an immediate threat to the stability of Mr Vajpayee’s government, which counts on the support of more than 20 parties.

The DMK will continue to vote in parliament with the BJP-led government on an issue-by-issue basis, party president M. Karunanidhi told reporters in Tamil Nadu state’s capital, Chennai.

But he said the party’s two cabinet members will both resign — Environment and Forests Minister T.R. Baalu and junior health minister A. Raja.

The party charges that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha Jayaram has abused the Prevention of Terrorism Act by jailing a number of her political opponents, including DMK leaders.

Other critics say the anti-terror act, passed in March last year, has been used disproportionately against Muslims.

“The DMK no longer desires to be part of the government when it is seen as creating an unhealthy situation,” a party resolution said.

Mr Vajpayee’s Bharatiya Janata Party has responded that the anti-terror law was needed at a national level despite the potential for abuse by state authorities. —AFP