Government keen on liquor not water: Stalin

Speaking at a function in Papanasam here, Stalin accused the state and Centre of ignoring the farmers protesting in Delhi for more than 40 days. “We announced a state-wide bandh to show solidarity with the farmers as our party is known for it,” he added. 

Accusing the government with inaction in solving the drinking water crisis looming across the state, Stalin said, “The state government’s only agenda is to make liquor available to the people. So, the ruling party is very keen on reopening the closed TASMAC outlets, rather than taking steps to solve the basic problems of people, like drinking water.” 

Taking a dig at the factional rivalry in the AIADMK, DMK working president said, “Both the groups in the ruling party are concentrating their energies only on how to hold on to power and to continue with their corrupt rule.” 

He further alleged, “Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy did not go to Delhi to meet the protesting farmers. He met the farmers only after attending the meeting convened by the Prime Minister.”

Elaborating on the demands of the bandh called by the opposition parties and farmers’ associations, Stalin said that their demand for an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister to apprise him of the situation of the state farmers was not met. “We have not received any reply from the Prime Minister’s office, even after sending a letter along with the resolutions passed in the all-party meet convened by our party.” He added that barring the ruling AIADMK and BJP, all other parties took part in the meeting. 

Earlier in the day, the DMK leader submitted a petition to the District Revenue Officer Sakthimani regarding infrastructure issues in the Tiruvarur constituency represented by his father and party president M Karunanidhi. 

On Tuesday, Stalin would lead the state-wide bandh at Tiruvarur. However, he clarified that the all-party meeting was convened and the subsequent strike call was given only to support the agitating farmers and not for making any electoral gains.