DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Tuesday alleged that Tamil Nadu was at a ‘boiling point’ as it was witnessing protests and violence, and a number of inquiry commissions had been constituted to probe such incidents over the past two years.
Speaking during a debate in the Assembly on the demand for grants for the Home Department, Mr. Stalin said there was a time when the Tamil Nadu police used to be compared to the U.K.’s Scotland Yard. “But that was a long time ago. I wonder what happened,” he said.
Referring to the protests in Kathiramangalam, Neduvasal, Thoothukudi and on Jallikattu, and more recently, the opposition to the Salem—Chennai green corridor, Mr. Stalin said the State was at a boiling point.
The Leader of the Opposition also attacked the State government, citing Union Minister and BJP leader Pon. Radhakrishnan’s statement that Tamil Nadu was becoming a haven for terrorists. “He [Mr. Radhakrishnan] said that Tamil Nadu was becoming a training ground for terrorists and that Maoists and Naxals had infiltrated various departments,” Mr. Stalin said.
He asked why the government had not condemned the Minister’s statements. “You should have at least taken action on it,” he said.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu was one of the most peaceful States in the country.
“But some groups are operating with the motive of creating trouble and gain prominence through that. Some problems are arising because of that,” he said.
The Chief Minister warned that the government would take stern action against protests aimed at destroying law and order and causing hardship to the public.
Communal politics
Accusing the AIADMK government of supporting communal forces, Mr. Stalin said, “In recent times, this government has been functioning in a way that is enabling communal forces to rear their head in Tamil Nadu.”
Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said the State was above caste, creed and communal politics. “Do not plant a poisonous seed here [by making such allegations],” he said.
“So there was no communal politics when you were part of the Central government, but there is now?” Mr. Panneerselvam asked.
‘EPS-OPS can’t be split’
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday said no one could separate him and his deputy O. Panneerselvam.
The Chief Minister's remarks came after he gave detailed statistics of crime rates during the DMK and AIADMK regimes.
When the Chief Minister finished speaking, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Duraimurugan quipped, “you gave details of every rule...but you missed out on giving statistics when your Deputy Chief Minister was the CM.”
To this, Mr. Palaniswami said Mr. Duraimurugan was playing games and trying to split him and the Deputy CM. “But no one can split the two of us,” he said.
