TIRUPPUR: Training their guns at Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, opposition parties on Monday charged that during his road show in Dharapuram, the bullock cart in which Vijay travelled on Sunday was driven by Ashok (55) from Pottikampalayam, who was booked by the police in connection with a protest against the TVK candidates a few days ago.
Sources said, on September 26, TVK candidate P Sathyabama had planned to campaign in the Pottikampalayam area, in Dharapuram. However, locals staged a widespread protest against her campaign. They raised slogans regarding her resignation and criticised her as a traitor. Consequently, Sathyabama abandoned her campaign and left without even stepping out of the car.
The Kundadam police registered a case against 24 locals in connection with this incident. The police also registered a case against Ashok in connection with this. The DMK, AIADMK, and the public engaged in protests, insisting that no one should be arrested in connection with this matter.
Opposition parties said Ashok was an AIADMK local functionary from Pottikampalayam. In this environment, Ashok, with TVK's shawl, drove the bullock cart in which the Chief Minister was travelling on Sunday. Opposition parties claimed he was threatened to join TVK.
R S Bharathi, organising secretary of DMK, said, "If police file a case against a person, he will be a wanted one. The Chief Minister, who holds the police portfolio, has travelled with a person wanted by the police.
This is the best example of the breakdown of law and order in the state. It is a huge violation." He further questioned the police on what action they are going to take regarding the incident where the CM travelled with a wanted person.
Attempts to contact AIADMK District Secretary R Selvakumaran regarding this matter were unsuccessful.
Speaking to TNIE, Ashok said, "I do not belong to any political party. It is false information that I am a local functionary of AIADMK. I am the chairman of the water users association of Pethampatti, under PAP.
Moreover, I have no involvement in the protest against the TVK candidate. However, the police registered a case against me based on incorrect information. I have submitted evidence to prove that I was not there at the time of the incident."
"They invited me because there was no one to ride the bullock cart on Sunday and because I am famous for knowing how to ride a Rekla cart. I did not join the TVK either. However, at that moment, someone draped their party shawl over me. Everyone can see in the video that I am not wearing that party's dhoti," he added.
Former minister K V Ramalingam said, "Incorrect information is being shared regarding this matter. We have not inducted anyone into the party in such a manner. That trend is not there in TVK. An FIR has been registered against that person based on misinformation. The police did not take action against him because he submitted evidence for it. The police are investigating this matter. It will take action only against those involved."