Over 5,000 supporters of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam participated in the fast organised near Vaeinthankulam new bus stand here on Wednesday to appeal to the President and the Centre to order a judicial probe into the “mysterious death” of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The crowd comprised over 2,000 women.
Speakers at the protest venue came down heavily on those who were “spreading wrong information” about the progress in the health of Jayalalithaa when she was undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Chennai.
“Some people were spreading wrong information to the media though they did not have direct access to the doctors attending to her. They were not even allowed to visit the floor where Jayalalithaa had been kept. Hence, anyone can easily infer that the wrong information was spread with the ulterior motive of burying the facts... So, an in-depth investigation alone can bring out the truth,” they said.
They charged that “a group of people” surrounding an ailing Jayalalithaa prevented her from getting proper medical assistance.
“Only because of Jayalalithaa, AIADMK cadre, MLAs, MPs and Ministers have got identity... However, some of them are cheating the public about the medical assistance she was receiving. We should bring out the truth and take those who were responsible for it to task,” the speakers said.
Former Rajya Sabha MP P.H. Manoj Pandian presided over the agitation. Former Sankarankovil MLA S. Muthuselvi and former district panchayat chairman Narayana Perumal were among those who participated in the fast.
Mr. Manoj Manoj Pandian said the AIADMK, having 1.50 crore cadre, was backing Mr. Panneerselvam and hence the demand for judicial probe would succeed.
Despite hot conditions, over 5,000 people participated in the fast organised near Chidambara Nagar bus stop in Thoothukudi. Led by Srivaikundam MLA and former Minister S.P. Shanmuganathan, the protesting cadre raised slogans to highlight their demand.
Thoothukudi MP J. Jayasingh Thiyagaraj Nattarji, former MLAs G.V. Markandeyan of Vilaththikulam, Rajammal Samraj of Thoothukudi and chairman of Melur Cooperative Bank S. Esadurai participated.
In the fast observed by the supporters of Mr. Panneerselvam, including a large number of women, in front of Anna Stadium in Nagercoil, speakers said AIADMK cadre would continue their agitation till an inquiry was ordered into the death of Jayalalithaa.
S.A. Asokan, district secretary of MGR Youth Wing, presided. Thoothukudi MP Jeyasingh Thiyagaraj Natterjee participated as a special guest. Former Minister K.P. Rajendra Prasad, former MLA Muthukrishnan and others were present.
