If the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) does not voluntarily shut operations in Tamil Nadu or is not asked to quit, the MDMK will take steps to drive out the oil major from the State, warned MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Sunday.
In an emotional outburst against the ONGC during an interaction with the media at Darasuram near here, Mr. Vaiko alleged that the ONGC was rendering the fertile Cauvery delta region into a desert. The ONGC officials feel emboldened as they think they have the backing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The officials claim that some people were instigating violence in Kadiramangalam and Neduvasal. I dare say that I was the one who was instigating the people to fight the ONGC. Now, let the ONGC proceed against me legally, if they could,” Mr. Vaiko challenged.
“To thwart the attempts of the ONGC to render the fertile Cauvery delta region a desert, I would mobilise the youth and women of the State and organise a mass movement. I would also seek means to stop the ONGC from setting its foot anywhere in the State,” he said, adding, “If they prevented me, then I would instigate my party cadre and supporters to damage the ONGC machinery.”
Visits Darasuram temple
An avowed atheist, Mr. Vaiko visited the Sri Iravatheeswarar temple at Darasuram, went round the prakarams and admired the sculptures. When the priests received him and invited him to the inner precincts of the temple, Mr. Vaiko politely refused, saying he would be caricatured by the media which would portray his visit as an attempt to shore up his fortunes after heavy political defeats.
Mr. Vaiko recalled that when he was an MP, the authorities took nine statues of Ram from ancient temples to New Delhi. The statues were meant to be transported to the US for being showcased in a programme. When the then Kanchi Paramacharya Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal aired his disapproval, Mr. Vaiko said he raised the issue in Parliament.