Electricity minister Nirmal Kumar on Friday attacked Edappadi K. Palaniswami and M.K. Stalin for spreading allegations. Kumar said, "Chief Minister Vijay is not someone who sits at home and learns about developments by watching television." He claimed the government is actively working to maintain law and order across the state.
Chennai: Electricity minister Nirmal Kumar on Friday launched a sharp attack on former chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and DMK leader M.K. Stalin, accusing them of trying to divert public attention from controversies surrounding them by making allegations against the government.
Speaking to mediapersons at Chennai airport before leaving for Madurai, Kumar claimed that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was actively monitoring law and order in the state, instead of remaining at home and relying on television reports, as he alleged Palaniswami had done during his tenure.
Referring to the 2018 Thoothukudi police firing, in which 13 people were killed, the minister said the incident had exposed the difference between the previous and present administrations. He alleged that Palaniswami had said he came to know about the incident only through television reports.
"Chief Minister Vijay is not someone who sits at home and learns about developments by watching television. He is directly involved in reviews and inspections," Kumar said.
He also criticised Palaniswami over the AIADMK's stay at Koovathur during the political crisis in 2017, alleging that police personnel had been deployed for the security of MLAs staying at resorts. In contrast, he claimed, the police, under the present government, were being deployed to prevent crime and strengthen public safety.
The minister said the police had arrested around 19,000 people in the last six months as part of measures to maintain law and order. Citing police data, he said about 8,600 cases relating to ganja and other narcotic offences had been registered during the period, compared with around 5,000 cases during the corresponding period last year.
He claimed that the number of cases had increased by 70-80 per cent due to intensified enforcement, and added that around 14,000 people had been arrested in ganja-related cases. Drones were also being used for surveillance and intensified patrolling, he said.
Kumar also hit out at the DMK over allegations surrounding Gem Granites Veeramani and alleged that the Opposition was raising various charges to divert attention from the controversy.
He questioned former chief minister Stalin over allegations concerning police handling of sexual assault complaints linked to the Gem Granites case.
"Was the former chief minister connected to the issue, or was he sleeping at home? He has to answer," Kumar said, adding that DMK MP Kanimozhi should also raise the question.
He further alleged irregularities in the purchase of around 70,000 books for libraries named after Periyar, claiming that the books were procured from a "fake publisher". He said the Opposition was attempting to shift the focus from these issues by making allegations against the present government.
On the disappearance of a girl from Gingee, the minister said police were investigating the case from all angles and searching areas, including reserve forests. He expressed confidence that the girl would be rescued soon.
Kumar also claimed that several welfare schemes had been implemented during the government's first six months, including free bus travel, the Thalikku Thangam scheme and gold rings for children. Complaints relating to corruption and bribery were also being acted upon, he said.