Fishers’ pain not on DMK’s radar: Edappadi K Palaniswami

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday said that the DMK has no concern for the fishermen.

Despite being part of the Congress-led government for over a decade, the DMK did not take any measures to retrieve Katchatheevu to protect the livelihood of fisherfolk, the Leader of Opposition said at a poll campaign. Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin is resorting to a false campaign on the issue, attempting to deceive the people by blaming the BJP-led Union Government, Palaniswami added.

“Why didn’t the DMK see the suffering of the fishermen community when it was part of the Union government for years? It allied with both the Congress and the BJP at the Centre, yet did nothing to retrieve Katchatheevu because they are more concerned about the interests of their family,” said Palaniswami, while addressing a large gathering, mostly comprising fishermen, in Chidambaram as part of the election campaign ‘Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom’. He cautioned the public not to fall prey to Stalin’s 'false' promises.

Listing the achievements of the AIADMK government led by him, Palaniswami said that the Mayiladuthurai district was created under AIADMK rule. “We created the district by bifurcating Nagapattinam, following representations from AIADMK functionaries and MLAs,” he said.

Referring to Chief Minister M K Stalin’s recent speech in the same town, Palaniswami said, “Stalin claimed that Edappadi K Palaniswami has done nothing. But I gave you a district. What more is needed?” he asked.

“The AIADMK regime established eleven government medical colleges in a single year. During our tenure, 67 arts and science colleges and 21 polytechnic institutes were started. There is one government arts and science college in Sirkazhi,” he said, countering Stalin’s claim that Palaniswami was against establishing colleges.

EPS condemns sexual assault on 10-year-old girl

Meanwhile, Palaniswami expressed shock over the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in Gummidipoondi and strongly condemned Chief Minister M K Stalin for what he called the government’s failure to ensure the safety of children. He questioned whether such incidents do not shake the Chief Minister’s conscience. He demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrator and stern legal action.