THOOTHUKUDI
Condemning BJP national secretary H. Raja’s controversial remarks about Dravidar Kazhagam founder Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan has urged the State government to arrest him.
Talking to media persons at Thoothukudi airport on Wednesday, Mr. Thirumavalavan said it was Mr. Raja’s intention to create unrest in society and divide communities in Tamil Nadu on religious line to gain political mileage. Such unhealthy strategies were tested by the BJP in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and other States. The party was now trying to turn Tamil Nadu into a cauldron of violence.
Mr. Raja should understand that there was no room for religious and casteist fanaticism in Tamil Nadu. Senior BJP leaders knew about his remarks and it was not good for their party’s growth. However, it was consoling to learn that Mr. Raja had regretted his remark, he said.
He also condemned vandalism targeting Periyar statue at Tirupattur in Vellore district and removal of Russian Communist revolutionary leader Lenin’s statue in Tripura and sought action against those involved in the incidents. The VCK welcomed BJP president Amit Shah’s announcement that action would be taken against those vandalising statues, he said.
The VCK cadre would join the protest called by CPI (M) State president K. Balakrishnan in Chennai on Thursday in this regard.
On the suicide of a police constable posted for security at Jayalalithaa memorial in Chennai recently, he said a thorough investigation by an inquiry commission should be launched into the incident.
He said it was needless for the Centre to call Secretaries of four Cauvery basin States for talks in New Delhi on March 9, when the Supreme Court had directed it to form Cauvery Management Board by March 30. He said the talks would only delay the formation of the Board.
He welcomed the protest staged by MPs in New Delhi pressing for the formation of the Board at the earliest. The MPs from the State should resign from their Lok Sabha membership if the Board was not formed in time, he said.
