Accusing Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M Karunanidhi of trying to promote communal enmity and hatred between Dalits and the Thevar community in Tamil Nadu through his utterances, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Vaiko has sought his disqualification from contesting the May 8 assembly polls.

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In a letter to the chief election commissioner, Vaiko alleged that by making a remark at a public meeting at Uslilampetti on April 23, Karunanidhi "had promoted communal feelings to woo the electorate of Thevar community and instigated hatred between Dalits and Thevars in the southern parts of the state".

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Moreover, Karunanidhi's reply to a journalist when asked about the remarks had only added "fuel to the fire", Vaiko said.

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Karunanidhi has violated the model code which clearly states that no party or candidate should indulge in any activity which might aggravate existing differences or create communal hatred or create caste tensions, Vaiko alleged adding, that another provision in the code also prohibited appealing to caste or communal feelings to secure votes.

Under these circumstances, the Election Commission should initiate legal proceedings against Karunanidhi and disqualify him from contesting from the Chepauk constituency in the city, Vaiko said.