Guv must take Kodanad case to Prez: DMK

It may be recalled that a former Tehelka Journalist had released a video clipping in New Delhi recently alleging murder and break-ins at Kodanad estate of former chief minister J Jayalailthaa linking the involvement of Palaniswami. 

The agitation was led by DMK Chennai West District Secretary J Anbazhagan and other MLAs and party functionaries.

While staging demonstration, they shouted slogans against the AIADMK government and demanded the resignation of Palaniswami.

As they attempted to take out a march to Raj Bhavan, they were arrested by the police. The DMK workers also staged a road roko condemning the arrests. Later, DMK president MK Stalin met the arrested party cadres housed in a marriage hall.

The protest demonstration was to urge Governor Banwarilal Purohit to take Constitutional measures against Chief Minister Palaniswami and order a SIT probe headed by an Inspector General of Police into the Kodanad incidents.

DMK president Stalin said after Jayalalithaa’s death, a murder has taken place in Kodanad, three people have died in accidents, one has attempted suicide and another has committed suicide. 

Two key accused Sayan and Manoj have said in the video that they had committed the break-in at Kodanad on the advice of late Jayalaithaa’s car driver Kangaraj for Palaniswami, the DMK Chief said.

He also said he had called on Banwarilal Purohit on January 14 and submitted a memorandum to press these demands.

Since no action has been taken by the Governor, the DMK staged a protest demonstration on Thursday. 

In the memorandum, he urged him to direct the Chief Minister to step down to ensure a fair and impartial probe into the matter.

Stalin also urged Governor Purohit to place all the facts before President Ram Nath Kovind and take necessary Constitutional measures against Palaniswami.

He also urged him to direct further investigation into the mysterious death of Kanagaraj. Kanagaraj was cited as the first accused in the break-in case, but died in a road accident later.

Principal Opposition Party DMK has urged Speaker P Dhanapal to immediately remove the name of disqualified AIADMK ex-minister Balakrishna Reddy from the list of MLAs on Assembly website. 

Condemning Dhanapal for still having Balakrishna Reddy in the list of MLAs on Assembly website, DMK president and Leader of Opposition MK Stalin accused the Speaker, who should be impartial and act in conformity with the Constitution, of delaying the notification of vacancy in Hosur from where Reddy was elected to the state Assembly.

Just over a month after he joined the DMK from the AMMK, the main opposition party on Thursday appointed V Senthil Balaji as party in charge for western Karur district. Relieving Karur district party secretary Nanniyur Rajendran from his post, the DMK named Senthil Balaji as “party in charge,” the top post as regards the district. 

Appealing to all party office-bearers to join hands with Balaji, the DMK said Rajendran will head the weavers’ wing of the party. Balaji’s anointment as district chief has happened sooner than expected.