Gaja blow for AIADMK, BJP ahead of LS polls

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, cyclone Gaja has emerged as a political spoilsport for both the ruling AIADMK and the BJP in the centre.

For the second consecutive ruling day, AIADMK ministers and party MPs were designated to oversee cyclone Gaja relief works by Chief minister Edappadi K Palanisswami, drew flak from the villagers in delta districts.

Tension prevailed in Adhirampattinam in Thanjavur after BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan wanted to visit cyclone-hit area. She was welcomed with anti-centre slogans and was asked to leave the area. Adding fuel to fire, both the DMK and the rebel AMMK had expressed that the public is agitated over the poor relief works post Gaja cyclone landfall.

Admitting that the opposition parties are putting up a fight targeting the ruling AIADMK, local administration minister SP Velumani called for a truce and urged the TN political parties to stay united during the times of disaster management. When asked about the growing public grudge against the ministers now inspecting the four cyclone-hit districts, Velumani said, “Public’s belongings were lost due to the cyclone and they will certainly be angry. This is not the time for the parties to play politics.”

The situation is such that the social media and media has been feasting on the anti-government protests and there are visuals and memes trending exposing the heated arguments between public and the state ministers. For the third time, handloom and textiles minister OS Manian was caught on camera being waylaid in his native district. In a video that went viral in WhatsApp, an angry resident of the flood-affected area is seen quarrelling with the minister travelling in a two-wheeler. As war of words erupted the minister was heard pleading for respect.

Rajya Sabha MP and AIADMK strong man in delta R Vaithilingam was also facing the wrath of the local public. Senior minister KA Sengottayan was also not spared in Orathanadu and the seasoned politicians finally pacified the agitated visitors.

Rural industries minister P Benjamin who visited Seruthur fishing village in Nagapattinam was also questioned by the angry fishermen to specify about the compensation plans being planned by the state for affected fishermen.

According to confidential AIADMK insiders, party seniors including O Panneerselvam who had visited the Nagapattinam had briefed the Chief Minister EPS about the situation and a few of them had even persuaded the AIADMK leadership to roll out the damage compensations at the earliest.