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Hypocrisy, Thy Name Is Thirumavalavan: VCK Head Takes 180° U-Turn, Supports ONGC And Oil Extractions

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Thirumavalavan, the chief of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, has made a spectacular U-turn on his opposition to ONGC and oil extraction by ONGC, saying that people should be made aware of the good work done by ONGC.

In a meeting organized by the workers union of ONGC in Chennai, VCK Lok Sabha MP Thirumavalavan said,” The members of our union have explained to me using audiovisuals about how the ONGC company works, what difficulties they face, and what their future holds. ONGC is a public sector unit owned by the Union Government. Our comrades on stage are employees and officers of ONGC who work for the people and the government. Their role is to act as a link between the government, which makes policy, and the people.”

He further said,” In this situation, there is presently criticism about the functioning of the ONGC’s activities, particularly on the environmental front. The criticism is not just for ONGC but also for the Kudamkulam plant that generates electricity. People protested against the Sterlite administration, which had been operating for decades, and many people lost their lives in the ensuing firing. Similarly, people are protesting against the extension of the Neyveli lignite plant.”

He added,”People protested and opposed the Chennai to Salem eight-way lane project as they feared that thousands of acres of tress will be cut down, which will adversely affect the environment. Similarly, those affected by the announcement of an airport in Parandur are opposing and protesting the government’s decision. And the list goes on.”

Thiruma said,” It is because of technology and social media that people have this awareness that was lacking 50 years ago. People are creating their own news rather than relying on traditional media. However, social media is used both for spreading correct information and also sometimes for misinformation. It is in this situation that ONGC is also facing a similar problem.”

He went on,”Several workers and officials explained to me how the ONGC works. It is their responsibility to do so. They should, however, explain not only to me but also to the general public. For our survival, we require oil, petroleum, sand, electricity, coal, and other mineral resources extracted from the earth. Large energy production is needed to meet our demands. As a result, the government generates electricity from a variety of sources, including hydroelectricity, thermal power plants, wind turbines, and even nuclear power plants. However, several environmentalists oppose these energy productions, claiming that air, water, and soil are becoming polluted, and water levels in the north and south poles are rising, among other things.”

He added,” Throughout the world, there is opposition to energy extraction, whether it is thermal extraction of power or atomic extraction of power. It is not a problem between the people who live near these projects and companies; rather, it is a problem between modern technology and the human race. The problem is caused by population growth and the demands of that population, which are causing these issues.”

He stated, “We need modern technology and innovations to meet the demands of an expanding population. Oil and natural gas are essential for all of these. As a result, we can only extract where it is present to meet the power needs of the human population. But if we extract, there is opposition from environmentalists. However, this is a problem shared by all companies, not just ONGC. Therefore, it is the responsibility of those who understand technology to explain this problem to the public.”

He went on to say, “No one, including me, is aware that ONGC does not extract oil through hydraulic fracturing, which has a negative impact on the environment. There is a need to explain to the public that extracting oil several hundred meters below the water level will not harm the underground water. But in general, the idea that drinking water is polluted is what reaches the people. It is our responsibility to tell the people that water is not getting polluted. I am bound to say that Thirumavalavan will be a partner in that effort. ”

However, Thirumavalvan had opposed these developmental schemes in the past during the AIADMK regime. He has spoken out against all of the schemes that he supported in his speech today, including ONGC oil extraction, Sterlite copper production, the Koodankulam Atomic power plant, the Chennai-Salem eight-lane project, the Theni Neutrino plant, and others.

Instances When Thirumavalavan Opposed ONGC

Thirumavalavan had condemned the ONGC organization on June 17, 2021, saying it was shocking for him to see ONGC seeking environmental clearance for setting up exploratory wells in Ariyalur while Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin was writing a letter to PM Modi to stop the implementation of hydrocarbon projects in Tamil Nadu.

On May 13, 2019, Thirumavalavan condemned the central government for granting Vedanta a license to extract hydrocarbons in the sea and on land in the Villupuram and Puducherry areas. He urged both state and central governments to cancel the project immediately.

Thirumavalavan issued a statement on July 22, 2019, “VCK call on not only farmers but also the public from all walks of life to fight against the hydrocarbon project to protect our soil and people.”

On June 13, 2021, Thiruma said, “On behalf of VCK, we welcome and appreciate Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thalapathy MK Stalin’s letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister stating that the hydrocarbon project should not be started in Tamil Nadu. Let us protect our soil, as well as agriculture and groundwater.”

VCK chief Thirumavalavan was arrested on March 29, 2018, along with 800 other people, including political party leaders, who attempted to blockade a crude oil well near Ammapet.

On July 3, 2017, VCK Party leader Thol. Thirumavalavan has insisted that the Tamil Nadu government should cancel the No-Objection-Certificate (NOC) certificate given to ONGC company for setting up oil wells in more than a hundred places in the delta districts.

Opposing ONGC’s hydrocarbon extraction in Tamil Nadu when the AIADMK was in power and now speaking in support of the very same has exposed Thirumavalavan’s hypocrisy.

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