THOOTHUKUDI: State minister for information and publicity Kadambur C Raju said that politicians like MDMK general secretary Vaiko are responsible for the anti-Sterlite protests that claimed the lives of 13 persons. The minister participated in the prize distribution function held by Nehru Yuvakendra, Kovilpatti SS Duraisamy Nadar- Mariammal college, and Swamy Vivekananda yoga and skating club, at Kovilpatti on Friday evening.
When asked about a reaction for the Vaiko's charges on the state government of having indirect relation with Sterlite, Raju told reporters that he could not understand if Vaiko comments be taken as a joke, or either ridiculous. He had opposed the government order for permanent closure of Sterlite and now unsatisfied with the National Green Tribunals' denial of reopening the smelter only due to political vendetta, he charged.
Raju added that the anti-Sterlite agitation intensified only due to the awareness created by politicians like Vaiko, with the misleading facts which created a panic among the residents. No responsible leader would mislead the public, he said and added that a politician should have social responsibility. He quoted the petitions of the fishermen association representatives who alleged that they were misled by certain outfits during the anti-Sterlite protest.
It may be noted that chief minister Edapadi K Palaniswami charged Thoothukudi DMK MLA Geetha Jeevan for kindling anti-Sterlite protest at the legislative assembly. Moreover, the state government also accused Makkal Athikaram and Naam Tamilar Katchi for mobilising mass crowd for the rally against Sterlite Copper.
Vaiko, few hours before minister's scathing attack, had accused state of not taking a valid action for the permanent closure of the copper smelter. He also criticised that NGT's stand on accepting the maintainability of the petition filed by the Sterlite Copper seeking to reopen the unit. "The judge did not accept the non-maintainability of the petition, and so this might be a leeway for giving an interim stay on the closure order", he augured. The High Court order on closure of the copper smelter was scrapped by Supreme Court in 2013, he recalled.