CM blames DMK for giving sanctions to Sterlite when they were in power

Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami squarely laid the blame for the Sterlite issue and Thoothukudi violence at the doors of the DMK, saying that all vital sanctions for the copper plant were issued during the DMK administration and the May 22 violence was caused by the members of that party ‘misleading’ peaceful protesters on that day.

He said protesters in Thoothukudi had stoned DMK working president M. K. Stalin’s car when he visited the town (on May 23).

This only showed that there is ample proof that they were angry with the DMK and holding their party responsible for the Sterlite woes, he told the Assembly on Tuesday.

On May 23, stones were also hurled at vehicles which followed Stalin’s car in Thoothukudi and Vilathikulam union secretary of the party Marimuthu was asked to get down from his car and it was set ablaze, the Chief Minister said. “So the protestors did not welcome them. From this it should be understood against whom the people were angry,” he said and added a case has been registered on such violence.

Mr. Palaniswami said DMK leader Stalin enacted a ‘farcical drama,’ seeking Sterlite's closure, and said the DMK had allocated 100 acres land for Sterlite’s expansion in 2008 during the tenure of M. Karunanidhi, as chief minister, holding the industries portfolio, too.

The DMK had granted permission for expansions on four occasions in 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and the successive environment ministers: Pongalur N. Palanisamy, N. K. K. Periasamy and Moideen Khan besides DMK’s former union minister A. Raja gave the clearance. That party had also filed an affidavit in favour of Sterlite before the high court, he added.