DINDIGUL
Demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami immediately on the light of the High Court verdict on the Salem-Chennai land acquisition row for construction of expressway project, CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan said that the government should not remain in power even for a minute more.
Speaking at an election rally here in support of the DMK Lok Sabha candidate Velusamy, he said that the High Court order pronounced today was the first blow.
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The final blow should come from you (people) all by exercising your valuable votes on April 18, he added.
Recalling the numerous agitations conducted by the Opposition parties seeking the Central and Tamil Nadu governments to drop the eight-lane construction, Mr. Mutharasan said that when they didn’t listen to and proceeded with their agenda, the verdict had come as a big blow to the ‘autocrats’ and ‘fascists’.
“If I were in the place of Edappadi, I would step down...” he stressed.
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Not knowing the laws, some of the Ministers in Tamil Nadu spoke in an irresponsible manner on the outcome of the HC verdict. While one Minister said that the government would go ahead with the project, another said that the government would go for an appeal. These remarks showed the government and the Ministers in poor light.
The verdict, he said, would save thousands of cultivable land, prevent waterbodies and ensure the farmers didn’t lose their piece of land. In an apparent reference to the AIADMK and BJP, who had planned to make a jackpot out of the ₹ 10,000-crore project, the court’s verdict had come as a big gift to the people and a shock to the rulers, he summed up.
The Communist leader also came down heavily against the PMK leaders for aligning with the AIADMK. Interestingly, one of the PIL was filed by Anbumani Ramadoss who had claimed victory.
Is it not baffling to see them (PMK and AIADMK) on the same side, he asked the people and wanted them to give them a fitting reply in the elections.
The Lok Sabha elections, he said, were not something between two political parties or three candidates, but it was a poll to save the nation from the hands of the ‘fascist’ and ‘autocrats.’ Hence, the people had a greater role to play, Mr. Mutharasan said.
Former Dindigul MLA and senior CPI M leader Balabharati among other alliance functionaries spoke.