The electoral scene in Tamil Nadu is turning ugly with a senior leader of the People’s Welfare Front accusing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of hatching a conspiracy to assassinate Vaiko, the general secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) on Sunday. Within hours of the charge by R Mutharasan, the Communist Party of India (CPI) Secretary, that the DMK has devised a plan to murder Vaiko, the Election Commission effected more transfers in the Police department of Tamil Nadu. On Saturday the Election Commission had appointed K P Maghendran as Director General of Police (elections) till the election process in the State gets over.
According to Mutharasan, the MDMK general secretary Vaiko had a providential escape on Saturday night while the latter was on his way to address election rallies in Thiruvarur district. “Vaiko was on his way to Thiruvarur from Myladuthurai. A crowd of 150 persons armed with iron rods, sticks, knives and sword were waiting for Vaiko’s car under the pretext of welcoming him to the district. But the driver speeded up Vaiko’s car in spite of the efforts by the crowd to stop the car,” said Mutharasan.
Addressing media persons on Sunday morning, Vaiko confirmed the charges made by Mutharasan that there was an attempt on his life. “This is in continuation of the conspiracy by the DMK to launch a caste war in Kovilpatti last Monday when I went to file my nomination paper,” said Vaiko. The MDMK leader has started spotting a green headgear while attending public functions since the last two weeks. Though Vaiko claims he is wearing the headgear to express his solidarity with farmers, party insiders said the green headwear is being worn as per astrological advice.
last Monday, Vaiko had declared that he would not be contesting the election as the DMK leadership was instigating a particular community in Kovilpatti from where he was expected to contest the election to wage a caste war against him following his stance on the Udumalpet honour killing in March 2016 when Sankar, a Dalit youth was murdered by his in-laws for daring to marry a caste Hindu girl.
Vaiko had alleged that the DMK leadership was hand-in-glove with the community to which the girl belonged and was encouraging them to attack him. “This forced me to withdraw from the race as I do not want a drop of blood to be shed in the name of caste and community,” said Vaiko.
While there was no response from the DMK leadership about the allegation, the party was in an aggressive mood against the MDMK. The DMK which tried to persuade Vaiko to join the front led by the party did not take it lightly when the MDMK leader moved over to the front consisting of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), CPI, CPI(M) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK). The DMK leadership forced many leaders of the MDMK to cross over to the DMK.
Within hours of the outburst by the leaders of the PWF, the Election Commission removed T K Rajendran, Chennai City Police Commissioner and appointed Ashutosh Shukla as the new Commissioner. Another senior IPS officer C Sylendra Babu, ADGP, coastal security was brought in as ADGP law and order (head quarters) in place of J K Tripathi, ADGP.