Chief Minister Jayalaithaa on Sunday justified her stay at Kodanad in the Nilgiris, saying it was part of Tamil Nadu and what was important was whether the Chief Minister was taking firm and impartial decisions.
“It is immaterial from where a decision is taken. Tea plantation workers and tribals are living in Kodanad. Is it a great crime to stay there for some days?” she said, responding to DMK president M. Karunanidhi’s allegation that the Chief Minister was taking rest in Kodanad, while the law and order in the State was deteriorating.
“Even though I am staying there, I am doing my duty and fair minded people will understand this,” she said, adding that the government had already informed the people of her stay in Kodanad.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said she was in touch with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other officials and was able to take decisions whenever it was necessary.
Listing some of the decisions and efforts taken by her in the one month while she was staying there, Ms. Jayalalithaa said she had a detailed discussion with officials in connection with release of water from Mettur for samba cultivation. In the beginning it was decided to release water on August 12 and subsequently it was advanced to August 2 in the wake of increased inflow into the dam.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said she ordered constitution of a special team to probe the murder of BJP State general secretary ‘Auditor’ Ramesh and had a meeting with the Chief Secretary and DGP on the law and order situation. Also, she appointed a one-member judicial commission to look into the death of Dalit youth Ilavarasan.
“It is immaterial whether the Chief Minister is in the capital or not. What is important is whether she acts fast on people’s issues,” she said.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said in an era in which advanced communication technologies were available, Mr. Karunanidhi was issuing statements like someone from the Stone Age. “It betrays his ignorance,” she said.
