Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Saturday complained that the centre had not come forward to condemn the killing of fisherman Britjo and said no one from the External ministry including officials or minister of state had visited the protesting fishermen to know their views.
Stalin who went to Thangachimadam met the relatives of Britjo and conveyed his condolences. Later, addressing the protesters, he said the parents of Britjo who refused to take the solatium of Rs 5 lakh told him that such incidents should not occur in future and the rights of fishermen are more important than money.
Recalling that he had written a letter to External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, he said party MP Tiruchy N. Siva had submitted a copy of the letter to the office of the External Ministry. DMK MP Kanimozhi had raised the issue in Parliament and a discussion on the subject could be allowed on March 13, he said.
The DMK working president said either the External Affairs minister or the Union Minister of State under her or the officials should have come and met the protesting fishermen. He recalled that when two Kerala fishermen were shot dead by an Italian ship, the centre took stern action, but the centre remains silent when fishermen of Tamil Nadu are killed.
The state government had not exerted pressure on the centre to act, he complained and added that the retrieval of Katchatheevu would be only solution to the problem.
Election results due to anti-incumbency: Stalin
Attributing the results of Assembly elections in five states to anti-incumbency factor, DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Saturday said the same trend would be seen when Assembly elections are held in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to the media, he also greeted the parties which have won the elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.
DMK urges EC to transfer CoP to ensure fair bypoll
DMK on Saturday urged the Election Commission of India to shift S. George, Chennai Commissioner of Police to ensure free and fair polls to RK Nagar bypoll on April 12.
Submitting a petition to the Election Commission, DMK MP R.S. Bharathi alleged that George would support all sorts of malpractices to favour the ruling AIADMK.
He said there is a fight between two groups of the ruling party and so, ‘the ruling faction’ is relying on their loyalist George who would dance to their tunes, he said.
He said RK Nagar is a sensitive area and therefore the ruling party has plans to unleash violence and indulge in corrupt practices including distribution of cash for votes, besides distribution of gifts.
The DMK also alleged that George accepted the orders of the Assembly secretary on February 18 and directed his subordinates to enter the Assembly and evict the DMK MLAs.
The party also said the ruling party had promised to appoint him as the Director General of Police for his loyalty.
The petitioner said there are reports that George did not attend the phone call of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam when the latter was in charge and such reports show his loyalty to the faction led by V.K. Sasikala, the letter claimed.
