Chennai, Oct 21: The MDMK, whose chief Vaiko is a Pota detenu, tonight welcomed the Centre's decision to promulgate an ordinance to amend the tough anti-terror law that would make decisions of the review committees binding on the state governments. In a statement here, MDMK presidium chairman l Ganesan, who had called on the Prime Minister A B Vajpayee last night in New Delhi to demand amendments to Pota to prevent it being 'misused' for political purposes, expressed happiness over the decision.

He thanked Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Law Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu for their efforts to get the Pota amended.

Ganesan said during the meeting, the Prime Minister had assured him of 'some steps' to put an end for the misuse of Pota.

Vaiko is in the Vellore central prison for over one year after being detained under Pota for speaking in support of the banned LTTE.

Bureau Report