BJP men hurl stones at Vaiko during rally

Demanding permanent closure of Sterlite Copper, Vaiko announced an open vehicle rally in Thoothukudi district for four days, in two phases and then a public meeting in Thoothukudi. In the first phase of the rally when he was addressing the public in Kulathur, on Tuesday night, liquor bottle was thrown by a miscreant and Vaiko was lucky in the incident as the bottle crashed against a vehicle that was stationed behind Vaiko’s vehicle. 

Vaiko resumed his second phase of rally from Seidhunganallur on Saturday evening and then proceeded to Srivaikuntam and then to Udangudi in the night. As BJP supporters were ready with black flags, Vaiko initially was diverted by Police on an alternative route. When he reached Udangudi bazaar, protesters raised slogans against Vaiko and showed black flags at him. When Vaiko’s supporters tried to attack them he asked them to refrain and started speaking at the rally. 

However, on hearing Vaiko abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech, BJP men hurled stones at him. A clash erupted between the two groups. Police intervened and chased away BJP supporters. When the police tried to move MDMK cadre too, Vaiko objected to it and picked up an argument with the policemen. Following that police dropped the evacuation move.

“Let them protest. I am not like Modi to fear black flags. I came to meet black flag protesters and if I would have diverted my route tomorrow people will say that Vaiko had feared black flags,” said Vaiko. He also said that the attacks against him were sponsored by the Sterlite Copper.