Chennai, Aug 25:
Former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh on Monday demanded that a complaint be filed with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) against Minister Maria Wilson over his remarks in the Assembly, where he allegedly claimed to be a witness to the allegations made against Mahesh.
Speaking to reporters at Anna Arivalayam, Mahesh said Wilson, as a Minister, was responsible for statements made by him on the floor of the Assembly.
“Minister Maria Wilson says he is a witness and repeatedly says that he had given (the money). If a Minister makes such statements in the Assembly, he is responsible for them. He should be questioned and investigated by the DVAC,” Mahesh said.
He said a person had levelled allegations against him without evidence and that he had filed a defamation case seeking Rs 50 crore in damages.
“It is painful that a Minister who runs a college by collecting money from poor students is making such allegations against me. Whatever he says, we are ready to face it,” he added.
‘TVK affidavit lists DMK achievements’
On the issue of Navodaya schools, Mahesh said the affidavit filed by the TVK government itself had listed several achievements of the previous DMK government.
“Whether Navodaya schools are required or not is a separate issue. But the fact that the TVK government has listed the achievements of the DMK government in its affidavit is itself a victory for us,” he said.
Mahesh said more than 385 students had benefited from the Ambedkar-named overseas education scheme. He alleged that students studying abroad were now facing difficulties in receiving financial assistance and urged the government to resolve the issue.
He also criticised the reduction in allocation for the School Education Department compared to last year, saying the department already had a wide range of responsibilities.
‘100 days cannot be an excuse’
Referring to the appointment of a North Indian teacher in Salem, Mahesh said the government needed time to implement all its programmes but could not use its first 100 days as an excuse for shortcomings.
“We know that everything cannot be achieved in 100 days. But you cannot keep saying that it has been only 100 days. The DMK government demonstrated how the department should function,” he said.
Mahesh also stressed the importance of strengthening school education to ensure employment opportunities for students.
“Whatever investments and jobs come to Tamil Nadu, students can benefit from them only if they receive proper education from the school level,” he said.
‘Government diverting attention’
Mahesh accused the TVK government of attempting to divert public attention from major issues, citing NEET-related deaths, allegations of sexual misconduct against an MLA and restrictions on Left parties’ protests.
He also referred to Congress leader Manickam Tagore’s criticism that TVK MLAs were speaking in the Assembly like fans by saying that Chief Minister Vijay would become Prime Minister.
“These statements are being made to divert attention from the differences within the alliance,” Mahesh alleged.
He further questioned how the remarks made by Maria Wilson against him were allowed in the Assembly and asked the Speaker to seek an explanation and clarify the matter to the public.
“During the past three months, they have been speaking in the Assembly as though they are addressing a public meeting,” Mahesh said.