SC order on bandh a judicial encroachment: CPM

The DMK-led front in Tamil Nadu had called a state-wide bandh on Monday to demand early completion of the Sethusamundram Shipping Canal Project.

Karat said the situation in Tamil Nadu on Monday was not a manifestation of breakdown of law and order.

Referring to the transport strike in the state, he said that the workers8217; unions have voluntarily responded to the strike call. 8220;Can the Supreme Court declare the strike illegal?8221;

Earlier, pointing out that the alignment of the Sethusamundram canal was made when the BJP-led NDA was in power at the Centre, Karat condemned the efforts of the BJP and RSS to obstruct the project on religious grounds, saying they were trying to gain political capital out of it.

All evidence showed there was only a natural geological formation along the alignment of the canal, he said.

8220;The BJP is grossly mistaken if it thinks it can arouse religious sentiment on the issue and make political capital out of it,8221; Karat said.

The Central Committee demanded that the project be executed without delay.