As death toll in Kallakurichi liquor tragedy mounted to 51 by Friday , the Opposition AIADMK demanded the resignation of Chief Minister M K Stalin for the DMK government’s callousness towards illicit liquor brewing in the State.
When the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly met on Friday, Leader of the Opposition Edappadi Palaniswamy wanted an urgent discussion on the subject and adjournment of the question hour and other business scheduled for the day. Making a suo motu statement in the House Palaniswamy wanted the resignation of the Chief Minister for the failure of the government in tackling the illicit liquor business.
“Bootlegging has flourished in the State during the two years of the DMK regime and it is said that the illegal business is being carried out with the full blessings of the party,” alleged Palaniswamy. He was not allowed to complete his speech by the Speaker who ordered the eviction of the AIADMK members who had come to the House wearing black shirts as a mark of respect to the deceased tipplers.
Meanwhile the death toll reached 49 by Friday noon with 12 more persons who had been admitted to various hospitals breathing their last. According to police officials, 115 persons are undergoing treatment after consuming the hooch and the condition of nearly 20 persons continue to be critical.
People in Karunapuram village in Kallakurichi district where the incident occurred told The Pioneer that an axis of police-bootleggers-DMK politicians are behind the production and sale of spurious liquor. “The MLAs of Rishivandhyam and Sankarapuram are the patrons of this illegal activity. Those who dare to complain are silenced once and for ever by their henchmen,” they said.
Not satisfied with the government move to transfer the investigation of the liquor tragedy to the CB-CID of Tamil Nadu Police, the AIADMK approached the Madras High Court with a plea to entrust the investigation to the CBI. Edappadi Palaniswamy who called on the bereaved families told the media that 22 persons had perished in 2023 in the adjoining Villupuram district after consuming spurious liquor. “But the DMK government did not take any action even after one year. The AIADMK had raised the issue in assembly many imes during the last one year but the government remained a silent spectator,” said Palaniswamy.
