A day after Union Minister of State for Shipping , Surface Transport and Finance Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had a verbal spat over the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu, the BJP and the Congress have joined the issue. Interestingly, the Congress has begun to speak in a tone favouring the AIADMK Government.
H Raja, national secretary of the BJP said at Coimbatore on Saturday that whoever claims that Tamil Nadu is an oasis of peace and prosperity, they are living in a fool’s paradise. “Every day we read reports about terrorists with international connections getting arrested from various places in Tamil Nadu. The Maoists are having a free run in the State. How can you claim that the law and order in the State is excellent,” asked Raja while addressing media persons.
Pon Radhakrishnan had said at Coimbatore on Thursday that there has been a told breakdown in law and order in Tamil Nadu and the State has been turned into a safe haven for terrorists. But Panneerselvam refuted the charge and claimed that Tamil Nadu has the best law and order in the country.” Ours is a garden of peace and happiness,” Panneerselvam had said.
Raja pointed out that Tamil Nadu government was planning to release jailed terrorists who have been sentenced to life for their involvement in bomb blasts. “Many terrorists are roaming free in the State. The AIADMK government will soon set to free the convicts in the 1998 Coimbatore serial bomb blast cases,” charged Raja.
But the BJP-AIADMK spat has turned into a wordy duel between the Congress and the Hindutwa party. “What Pon Radhakrishnan should make clear is the steps taken by the Centre to address the issue of terrorism in Tamil Nadu. law and Order is the responsibility of the Centre also. What steps have been taken by the Narendra Modi government to address the terrorism and extremist issues in Tamil NaduIJ” asked S Thirunavakkarassar, president of the TNCC.
The TNCC chief’s stance is being seen as a signal to both the Dravidian majors in the State that the Congress party is still keeping the options open about possible alliance, according to political observers in Tamil Nadu.