NEET: DMK accuses govt of double stance

Stalin was talking to reporters before his arrest at Kaniyur Toll Plaza on his way to Salem on Thursday. The DMK leader, who was on his way to visit the desilting works at Kacharayan Tank near Konganapuram in the CM’s contituency, was held and prevented from conducting a human chain protest on NEET issue. Showing pictures of the tank before and after it was desilted by the party men over the last two months, he expressed unhappiness over the ruling party cadre damaging the bunds with the support of the police. 

“They (ruling partymen) have damaged the bunds and are selling the mud (used for strengthening the bund). Appropriate action should be taken against the officials and police officers concerned,” he said. Stalin criticised the Chief Minister for not giving any response to his demand for a whitepaper on the status of desilting works carried out by the government. He said that the CM had alloted Rs 300 crore, under Rule 110 in the Assembly for the same. 

“The AIADMK is allowing their partymen to desilt tanks and earn commissions. We are getting information that the ruling party is taking commission (from the funds allotted by the government) for the desilting works done by us (DMK). We are collecting proofs and will expose the ministers, who swindled the money in the last three to four months,” Stalin said. 

NEET: After his release in the evening, Stalin accused the state government of adopting double standards over NEET exams and questioned the government for arresting and trying to prevent the protests against NEET that were jointly organised by the DMK and other like-minded parties, organisations and affected students and parents. “At some places, the police had initially granted permission for the protest and then cancelled it,” he alleged.

The DMK working president alleged that the ruling party was pleasing the government at the Centre for personal gains on the pretext of meeting the Prime Minister and other ministers concerned at Delhi. “They have not disclosed details of these discussions. They surrender to the Centre to free themselves from all the Income Tax, Election Commission and Excise cases against them,” he alleged. Terming the efforts of the state government to curb the protests seeking exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET as a sign of success, Stalin said that DMK will continue to protest till the state is permanently exempted from NEET.