Why fear naming BJP govt, DMK flays TVK post over Rahul’s arrest

Chennai: The DMK on Thursday lashed out at Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led TVK for not explicitly naming the BJP government over the arrest of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after a protest in the national capital demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Besides the Leader of the Opposition, other India bloc leaders were arrested in the high-profile detention on October 6 following the protest seeking the resignation of the CEC.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam officially condemned the arrest of the LoP and other MPs and the party, in a social media post, called the manner of arrest highly objectionable stating that such heavy-handed approaches must be given up.

Questioning the TVK’s statement, DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan pointed out that it failed to identify the authorities responsible for the action against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

“Who arrested Rahul Gandhi? They should condemn and explicitly mention the name of the BJP government,” Elangovan told PTI videos. “Rahul Gandhi is fighting for a cause - that the Election Commission is not acting as a neutral body and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is failing in his duty as a neutral authority” Elangovan said detailing the circumstances leading to the arrest, and noted that Rahul Gandhi was stopped and detained by the Delhi Police while heading to meet the CEC.

“It is the fundamental right of every political party to meet the CEC, but this government is not allowing the Leader of the Opposition to do so. Whom should be blamed? The arrest was made by the Delhi Police, which comes under the control of the BJP-led Union government,” Elangovan stated, adding that TVK “has no guts” to name the ruling party at the Center.

When asked about reports suggesting Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit Chennai on October 10 and would share a platform with Chief Minister Vijay, Elangovan declined to comment, stating, “I have no comment on that.” The DMK spokesperson also raised concerns over Chief Minister Vijay’s recent visit to the Perambur MLA office to receive petitions from the public, claiming Perambur residents have been suffering due to frequent power cuts despite having two power stations nearby - one in Red Hills and another near the Chennai Corporation area.

“The power cuts are happening right in the Chief Minister’s constituency, and people have been suffering. He didn’t go there during those times. Now, he visits, collects petitions, and comes back. Nobody knows what he is actually going to do about it,” Elangovan remarked.

He criticised the ruling TVK for not releasing water for Kuruvai paddy crop cultivation on June 12th. “So, the entire Kuruvai crop had failed. No rice. They have to purchase rice from outside. So, the price is increasing,” Elangovan said blaming the government for price rise of commodities and allegedly failing to take care of the people. “So, everybody is suffering,” he added.

On the law and order situation, he said murders were happening in Tiruvottiyur and Dindigul. Daily, at least four or five murders occurred in the state, leading to a “worst situation prevailing in Tamil Nadu in terms of law and order.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India