CHENNAI: Coming down heavily on the AIADMK government for compromising on the ‘hard-fought’ rights of Tamil Nadu, opposition parties said the RK Nagar bypoll outcome would pave the way for a change to ‘redeem’ the State and wipe off the people’s tears.
Addressing a joint campaign meeting to seek votes for DMK candidate Marudhu Ganesh in RK Nagar on Monday, the party’s working president, M K Stalin, squarely blamed the Edappadi K Palaniswami government for failing to carry out full-fledged operations to trace and rescue the fishermen missing in the aftermath of the savage Ockhi cyclone. The government’s inaction had led the fisherfolk to spill out onto the streets to protest, he fumed.
There has been no industrial development during the AIADMK rule in the State, Stalin said, adding, “Under these circumstances, the RK Nagar bypoll outcome will pave the way for a change and lead to redemption of the State”.
Pointing out the outrage and anger seething in coastal villages, Stalin warned that the opposition parties might have to launch a joint agitation to force the government to expedite the rescue and relief measures.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko, sharing the DMK dais after more than a decade, deplored the state of affairs regarding the rescue and relief activity in the Ockhi-hit coastal villages.
He noted that Kerala Chief Minister announced `20-lakh compensation for kin of the deceased and flew to Delhi seeking Central funds for renovation works, but Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had not done much. He also said the RK Nagar by-poll would usher in change in the State.
Hailing the leadership of Stalin, Vaiko said the day when Stalin would be addressed as CM was not far away.
S Thirunavukkarasar, TNCC president, said the constituency would lay the foundation for a much needed change in the affairs of Tamil Nadu.VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalan said the duty of ensuring a defeat of communal forces rested with Stalin and he had to fight against them with resoluteness and conviction as much as his father M Karunanidhi showed. CPI State secretary R Mutharasan and IUML national president KM Nader Mohideen also addressed the meeting.