CHENNAI : AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday took exception to the remarks made by DGP Shankar Jiwal that Tamil Nadu stands first in eradicating the drug menace compared to other states. Palaniswami said a comparison in this regard should not be made. He also announced human chain protests across the state on March 12 to condemn the ‘inaction’ of the DMK government in containing the drug menace.
Answering queries from reporters at the AIADMK headquarters after participating in the International Women’s Day celebrations by the women functionaries of the party, Palaniswami quipped: “Is the drug menace a problem comparable to other states? Drugs will ruin humanity. You can compare the implementation of programmes with other states. You can compare the growth of one country with that of another. But how can you compare the drug menace? If a state government compares itself to other states in terms of the drug problem, it means the government is the worst.”
Palaniswami also said the AIADMK will stage human chain protests on March 12 in municipal corporations, municipalities and town panchayats across the state protesting the DMK government’s ‘failure’ to contain the spread and prevalence of drugs.
“People gave power to the DMK. So, the Chief Minister has to take appropriate action. Jaffer Sadiq was seen with chief minister, DGP, sports minister, and his family members. So, the CM has the responsibility to take action in this regard.”
On the alliance issue, Palaniswami said when the alliance is finalised with other parties, it would be informed to the media. He also expressed confidence that alliance talks would be completed before the notification of the Lok Sabha election.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing the AIADMK leaders, Palaniswami said, “The PM hailed our late leaders. It is India’s culture to hail those who did good to people. Tamil Nadu grew under the leadership of former chief ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa. So, even those in the other parties hail them.”