AS we go to the press, there is a lull in the high drama in Tamil Nadu following the arrest of former chief minister M Karunanidhi, his son and DMK chief Stalin, and the two union ministers.

The manner in which the arrest of M Karunanidhi took place in the middle of the night created an adverse impact. The CPI(M) categorically disapproved of the way the arrest was effected. It revealed a vindictive approach. The incident provided a handle to the BJP and its allies to mount an offensive.

At the same time, when charges of corruption are filed against political leaders who have held public office, it is expected that these are pursued through the legal process. It is not the first time that such cases of corruption have been filed against former ministers and chief ministers. The DMK leaders must be aware of this and they have to go through the judicial process, just as all other citizens.

With the dropping of the cases against the union ministers, the possible confrontation between the central and the state governments appears to have eased. However, the attitude displayed by the Vajpayee government against the Tamil Nadu state government is reprehensible.

The NDA had sent a team under the leadership of Mr George Fernandes. In the first place, that a person who was forced to resign in ignominy as the defence minister in connection with the Tehelka exposure was chosen for this job, is in itself outrageous. Further, as is his wont, Mr Fernandes has displayed a unique consistency in assessing the law and order situation in any state on the basis of his political prejudices and not on the basis of facts. This happened earlier in West Bengal and, this time around, in Tamil Nadu.

Displaying a shameless lack of decorum and constitutional impropriety, the Vajpayee government threatened to use article 356 to dismiss the elected government. The central government committed a great blunder by forcing the governor’s resignation on this issue. This was condemnable and completely uncalled for.

The BJP, which had opposed the misuse of article 356 in the days when it was in the opposition, shows absolutely no compunction in misusing it today to suit its political interests. It tried to do so earlier in Bihar, threatened it in West Bengal, and now in Tamil Nadu. Shamelessly, the BJP admits that they are not imposing article 356 as they do not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha. Clearly, if they had a majority, then the abuse and misuse of our constitution would have gone on without any hesitation.

The question is not merely one of defending corrupt people. The Vajpayee government is guilty of gross misuse of the constitution and abuse of governmental authority. This cannot and will not be tolerated by the Indian people.