DMK first to allow methane extraction, claims State BJP

Tamilisai made the comment at the Chennai airport while responding to questions regarding the DMK president announcing a protest against the hydrocarbon project. 

Meanwhile, addressing reporters in Tirunelveli, the state BJP chief said that the Tamirabarani Maha Pushkaram, a ritual meant for taking a holy dip in river and performing pujas at Padithurai, should be celebrated as a government function.

She said that the state government should extend support and organise the programme in a grand manner, adding that the Tamirabarani river is about to witness the Maha Pushkaram this month. 

Tamilisai said that the government has restricted people from taking bath in the Tamirabarani facing Kurukkuthurai and Thaipoosam Padithurai, citing the reason that buildings have turned weak. However, she said, it was not the case.

The government and the PWD must inspect the sites if the concrete structure was weak and ensure safety of the devotees, she said. Over the years, such celebrations were organised by Madathipathees, temple priests and functionaries of Hindu outfits.

She also referred to the Manjolai estate workers’ tragedy, which saw the death of 17 labourers, while speaking about the safety concerns of the Tamirabarani Maha Pushkarani. 

“The government should have ensured adequate facilities such as drinking water, sanitation and special buses, trains and flight operations to facilitate devotees, by now. However, the BJP was making all necessary arrangements instead,” she said.

In Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, such programmes were presided over by chief ministers and Tamil Nadu should also follow suit, she said. Earlier, BJP cadre cleaned the Padithurai in Tamirabarani. It was 30th such programme by the party cadre, she said.