BJP leader faces villagers’ wrath at Neduvasal

H. Raja tries to convince the locals to suspend their stir

Bharatiya Janata Party national secretary H. Raja, who arrived in Neduvasal in a bid to convince the locals to suspend their agitation against the proposed hydrocarbon exploration project, pending discussions with the Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, faced opposition from a section of the agitators on Sunday.

The villagers had earlier decided to continue their agitation, not satisfied with the talks they had in Madurai with Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon. Radhakrishnan.

Though Mr. Raja explained the advantages of the project, particularly with regard to royalty to the State government, he hastened to add that he would not stand against the wishes of the villagers. “I do not compel you to withdraw the stir, but have come to only appeal to you to consider my request to temporarily withdraw the stir,” he said, amidst uproar and slogans from the villagers. He said that a meeting with the Union Minister for Petroleum, Dharmendra Pradhan, would be held in New Delhi on March 11.

“In case you are not satisfied with the meeting to be held with the Union Minister, you are all free to resume the stir,” he said.

Shortly after he concluded his address, a group of young volunteers camping in the village raised slogans against his proposal and squatted on the floor, preventing him from reaching his car. However, a group of senior citizens persuaded the youth to permit Mr. Raja to leave the venue without any hitch.

BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan told the media in Tiruchi that no steps should be taken to implement the hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal village if farmers were against it. Ms. Tamilisai said the interest of the locals was of paramount importance.

Meanwhile, members of various outfits who attempted to proceed to Neduvasal in Pudukkottai district from Tiruchi to express their opposition to the proposed hydrocarbon project were arrested on Sunday.

Police said 68 members including five women of outfits such as May 17 Movement, Vidhuthalai Tamil Puligal, Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam and Odukapattor Vidhuthalai Iyakkam, led by Thirumurugan Gandhi, State coordinator of the movement, assembled near the Periyar statue in Tiruchi to take out a rally by motorcycle to Neduvasal. However, they were arrested by the police.