Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, has expressed strong criticism of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government’s handling of law and order in Tamil Nadu, citing recent incidents of political violence. Speaking to reporters at Madurai airport on Sunday, Palaniswami charged that the safety of both common citizens and political leaders has deteriorated under the current administration.
Highlighting a series of violent incidents, Palaniswami recalled the murder of Congress district president K.P.K. Jayakumar Dhansingh, whose charred body was found in Tirunelveli in May. āThe DMK government claimed the investigation is underway in the murder. But, till date, the assailants have not been identified,ā he stated, questioning the effectiveness of the ongoing investigation.
Palaniswami also pointed to the recent killing of AIADMK functionary Shanmugam in Salem. Shanmugam was hacked to death last week while returning home at night. Palaniswami alleged, āMercenaries were engaged by the DMK men to kill him.ā
The opposition leader further noted the recent murder of Bahujan Samaj Party’s Tamil Nadu president, Armstrong, in Chennai. āChief Minister M.K. Stalin is making heroic statements after every incident. It seems no one has fear of the police. Rowdies are hacking to death people very casually like the butchers slaughtering goats,ā he remarked, criticizing the state’s law enforcement.
Addressing the AIADMK’s decision to boycott the by-election to the Vikravandi Assembly seat, Palaniswami stated that it was a collective decision by the party. He emphasized that the DMK’s tenure has been marked by undemocratic conduct during bypolls. āFormer party general secretary Jayalalithaa boycotted bypolls to five Assembly seats. Did not DMK leader M. Karunanidhi announce a boycott of bypoll to Pudukottai Assembly constituency?ā he asked.