DMK MPs Dayanidhi Maran and TR Baalu along with Tamizhachi Thangapandian and Kalanidhi Veerasamy had met Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam yesterday to submit the petitions received under DMK’s propaganda banner “Ondrinaivom Vaa”. However, the DMK MPs alleged that the Chief Secretary did not receive them properly and had insulted them. Responding to the allegations made by DMK MPs TR Baalu, Dayanadhi Maran, Kalanidhi Veerasamy and Tamizhachi Thangapandian, the Chief Secretary mentioned that he was distressed by Mr. TR Baalu’s twisted statements made in the press about the meeting.
“I have great respect for the Leader of Opposition. I don’t have any intention of insulting him. It is because of this respect that I set aside time amidst all the work to meet DMK MPs at 5.30 pm after reaching my cabin at 2:30 PM from the District Collector’s meeting.”, Mr. Shanmugam said in a statement.
“As the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was announcing the second tranche of measures as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat, I was informed of the DMK MPs arrival. I asked the Finance Secretary to take note of the Finance Minister’s speech and went to attend the DMK MPs. Along with them 15-20 people came into my room with big bundles of petitions. I was shocked at so many people entering my cabin in the wake of the spread of the virus.” he said.
Mr. TR Baalu had asked the Chief Secretary as to when will the 1 lakh petitions be submitted to the officials to which the latter responded that it will be sent as soon as possible and action will be taken. However, TR Baalu and Dayanidhi Maran asked for a date. Mr. Shanmugam had said they need to be categorized department wise and that all offices are functioning with minimum staff to which Mr. Baalu asked the Chief Secretary if he should go out and say that no action will be taken since there are no officials.
“This is the problem. You don’t realize the difficulties that we are going through. You may go and tell the press whatever you want. I don’t have any objection.”, Mr. Shanumgam is said to have responded to them, he said in his statement.
He said that he doesn’t have any intention to insult them. “The allegation that I was watching TV without paying attention to them is false. I had already reduced the TV volume before the meeting”, he said.
“I am a normal public servant and not a politician. My duty is to serve the people. It is not my intention to upset anyone. I am distressed by the twisted statements made in the press. Opposition Leader and the people will know who is speaking the truth and who is twisting statements.”, Mr. Shanmugam said.