AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

NT Bureau
Chennai, Dec 23:

        AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa today said Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was trying to divert the attention of traders on the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) by making baseless charges against her.

        In a press release, Jayalalithaa said enforcement of VAT regime would entail a revenue loss of Rs 5,000 crore to the State government. AIADMK leader charged that advertisements were released in dailies in order to defame her and the previous government over the VAT issue.

        Expressing her full support to traders and merchants who would be affected the most in the VAT regime, Jayalalithaa said the ruling DMK was intimidating those opposed to this tax system with dire consequences. 'Why Karunanidhi gets angry on hearing the truth? Anyone can express their thoughts and ideas in a democratic country,' she said. Criticising the DMK government for its double standards, Jayalaithaa said the people were waiting for an opportunity to get rid of this rule.