Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss was released from Tiruchi Central Prison on Saturday after 12 days in custody.
Soon after emerging from prison, Dr. Ramadoss put the blame on the AIADMK government for the violence that took place since his arrest and claimed that neither he nor his party nor the Vanniyar community could be blamed for the unruly acts.
Demanding a CBI inquiry into the Marakkam violence on April 25, he further alleged that it was the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi that was behind the violence and pelting of buses with stones.
He was speaking to reporters at the prison entrance after he got bail in all the cases booked against him.
Claiming that the State government had launched an unannounced “war” against Vanniyars, Dr. Ramadoss said his party would continue to register its protest in a peaceful manner. The cases against him were “worthless”, he said and added that he had faced such “repressive” measures in the past.
He claimed that there were planned attacks on Vanniyars on their way to attend the youth festival at Mamallapuram and two of his party functionaries were murdered in the attacks.
It was because the PMK had made it clear that it would have no alliance with either the AIADMK or DMK that it was facing vendetta, he claimed.
He alleged that the filing of cases against PMK functionaries and their detention under the Goondas Act were for political reasons. No law would permit such vengeful actions, he added.
Dr. Ramadoss said he was arrested at Villupuram for staging a demonstration seeking justice for those killed and injured in the Marakkanam violence. He and his supporters were lodged in a very old and unused camp jail devoid of any basic facilities.
The party’s general body would be convened soon to discuss issues relating to the use of preventive detention against party functionaries and the Marakkanam violence.
Reiterating that his party would have no alliance with the DMK, the AIADMK and national parties, he said the PMK would form an alternative third front and emerge victorious in at least 10 constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections. PMK president G.K. Mani was also released along with Dr. Ramadoss.