Chennai: The main opposition AIADMK in Tamil Nadu on Monday staged a state wide protest demonstration condemning the Kallakurichi liquor tragedy that has claimed more than 50 lives, while demanding a CBI probe into it and the resignation of Chief Minister
M K Stalin for failing to prevent the incident.
Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, clad with black shirts along with party functionaries and cadres, led the massive protest at Kallakurichi.
Accusing the ruling DMK, he said illicit liquor was available freely in the State with the support of the government and demanded the resignation of Mr Stalin for failing to control it.
He also demanded a CBI probe into the incident to bring all the truths to light and arrest all those involved in the tragedy to ensure justice.
Mr Palaniswami also said an AIADMK delegation comprising MPs and MLAs will meet Governor R N Ravi tomorrow demanding a CBI probe into the incident.
Similar protests were also held across the State to condemn the tragedy. Meanwhile, a BJP delegation led by State Unit President K Annamalai and former President Ms Tamilisai Soundararajan met the Governor and submitted a memorandum demanding a CBI probe into the incident.
Later, talking to reporters, Ms Tamilisai alleged that one of the DMK MLAs was linked to the tragedy and sought to know why no action was taken by the DMK against him.
In a related development, DMK Rajya Sabha MP R S Bharathi told reporters here that the AIADMK’s protest was political and claimed that both the AIADMK and BJP were involved in the illicit liquor sale.
The Judicial probe ordered by the State government will bring the entire truth. He also said the AIADMK’s demand for a CBI probe into the incident was aimed at diverting the attention of the people.
Recalling the multi-crore gutkha scam that took place in the previous AIADMK regime, he said a CBI probe was ordered into it and the case was still pending for the last eight years.
He said the state government had acted swiftly immediately after the liquor tragedy came to light and ordered a CB-CID probe, besides a judicial inquiry into it.
