Tamizhaga Valvurimai Katchi (TVK) leader and MLA Velmurugan, an ally of the Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu, has criticized the ruling DMK for its nepotism and hypocritical government policies. His remarks mark the fourth party within the alliance to express disdain and displeasure towards the ruling DMK.
In an interview with a private news channel, Velmurugan initially discussed his journey after leaving the PMK party. The conversation gradually shifted to the political landscape of Tamil Nadu and current events. When the host asked if the void left by former Chief Ministers J Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi had been filled, Velmurugan, with indirect criticism, suggested that their absence is still felt in Tamil Nadu.
It should be noted here that following their demise, Edappadi K. Palaniswami from the AIADMK and Karunanidhi’s son, MK Stalin from the DMK, became Chief Minister, and currently, Karunanidhi’s grandson, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has been promoted to Deputy Chief Minister.
Later, he criticised the DMK for not implementing the promises made during the election, such as the caste census, lessening the liquor (TASMC) shops, appointing teachers, making nurses permanent staff, introducing the old pension scheme, and not allowing projects like hydrocarbon projects that harm Tamil Nadu.
Regarding the alcohol issue, Velmurugan stated that if the Chief Minister or the state’s machinery believes it is possible, Tamil Nadu can become alcohol-free, and the Chief Minister should take action. While it couldn’t be achieved immediately, the DMK’s election manifesto promised to close down liquor shops gradually. Three years have passed, and only due to the PMK’s initiative have around 500 TASMAC shops near state highways, schools, and temples been closed, indirectly indicating that the DMK has not fulfilled its promises of prohibiting alcohol in the state.
Later, he lamented, “They are appointing an IAS officer as MD of TASMAC under the secretaryship of prohibition enforcement wing. Tamil Nadu is the only state that has created a department to prohibit liquor and is using the same department’s IAS officers and IPS officers to investigate why the liquor shops’ revenue has decreased. Such conditions are not there in any other state.” He stated that if both the DMK and AIADMK believed it was appropriate, they could close the liquor shops in the state, as they both owned breweries.
When the host asked why political leaders, including the chief minister, are avoiding the closure of TASMAC shops, Velmurugan quickly responded, “Who runs the breweries? It’s the prominent leaders of the opposition, AIADMK, and the ruling DMK.”
He also indirectly highlighted the hypocrisy of the DMK, which repeatedly claims to be the guardians of Tamils, by questioning who was appointed as the secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, this question comes at the backdrop of appointing Pradeep Yadav. Velmurugan asked, “Who was recently appointed as the Secretary of Udayanidhi who has been taken charge as the Deputy Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu? Why are there no IAS officers in Tamil Nadu? Are there no qualified Tamils as secretaries? We should pay close attention to all this.”
”தமிழ்நாட்டில் IAS அதிகாரிகள் இல்லையா? துணை முதலமைச்சர் உதயநிதிக்கு ஏன் வடநாட்டு IAS அதிகாரி?” – வேல்முருகன் எம்.எல்.ஏ#Velmurugan | #TVK | #UdhayanidhiStalin
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— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) October 14, 2024
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