PTI

Madurai, Mar 14: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has slapped a legal notice on CPI MLA Gunasekaran demanding an apology from him for making the allegation 
that the Union minister had supported allocation of 500 acres of government land to a private company in his constituency Sivaganga.

"It is a total lie to say that 500 acres of land has been gifted to a private company. Some political parties are accustomed to reeling out lies and false charges for the sake of politics. My name has been dragged unnecessarily over an issue between the government and a private firm," Chidambaram said.

The MLA had reportedly mentioned Chidambaram's name during an agitation led by him against the Union minister at Karaikudi on March 12 to protest allocation of land in Kazhanivasal in Sivganga district to a private firm.

Chidambaram pointed out that even the Sivaganga district collector had issued a statement denying land allocation for a private firm. Only a recommendation had been made to allocate 3.5 acres to a private firm on lease basis, as there was a potential for the company to give employment to 1,500 people.

Chidambaram, who represents Sivaganga constituency, recalled that the MLA had called on him on Mar 8 and "praised" him for his role in developing Sivaganga during the last three years and even sought his recommendation for some work.