Coimbatore: Protesting the merger of 79-KM stretch of Pollachi-Kinathukadavu section with the Palakkad Railway Division, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko would observe a fast in Pollachi on November 1, coinciding with the inauguration of Salem Railway Division.

Announcing this at a public meeting at Pollachi, about 40 Kms from here, last night he condemned both the Centre and the Tamil Nadu Governments for transferring the section, part of Madurai Division, "to mollify" Kerala, which had opposed inclusion of Coimbatore, Podanur and Tirupur sections in the Salem division.

MDMK, which has launched a campaign against giving the 79 KMs of Tamil Nadu on a platter to Kerala, and seeking its retention would continue to protest till the goal was achieved, he said. Accusing state Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of remaining a silent spectator on the issue, Vaiko alleged that the former had betrayed the people of the region for political reasons, because the area was a citadel of AIADMK and MDMK. Pollachi Lok Sabha constituency is represented by MDMK.

Vaiko said he would meet Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and press for maintaining status quo and also withdrawal of the gazette notification on transfer of the area. Expressing fears that Pollachi area would be neglected and given step-motherly treatment by Kerala, Vaiko said no part of Tamil Nadu should be handed over to any other state.