AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi Palaniswami, has accused the DMK government of pressuring industries to sponsor the upcoming Formula 4 car race scheduled for August 2024 in Chennai.
The Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority is set to host Chennai’s inaugural night Formula Four race. Initially planned for 9th and 10th December 2023 on the Theevuthidal outskirts, legal challenges sought to stay the race within Chennai city limits. Critics argued that the state government shouldn’t allocate 40 crore rupees to a private race lacking public benefit. Concerns about potential disruptions to a nearby government hospital and traffic were also raised. Postponed by Cyclone Michaung’s heavy rains in December, the alleged rescheduled race gained military clearance for June onward.
The upcoming Formula 4 event is expected to be held at Anna Road, Chennai, starting from the island chain through Black Stop Road and Anna Road, but it hasn’t been officially announced yet. Concurrently, AIADMK’s Edappadi Palaniswami criticized the DMK for allegedly coercing industrial sponsors involved in the race.
Edappadi Palaniswami, via his official X account, stated, “After writing an affidavit in the Madras High Court that they will not hold Formula Car Races in Chennai for two years, last week the Additional Chief Secretary of Youth Welfare and Sports Department has written an open letter to car companies in Tamil Nadu asking for ‘sponsorship’ to hold Formula Car Races in Chennai city.”
“According to reports, the sports department has also asked all the industries to provide the necessary funds either for the development of the racetrack or for the development of the infrastructure or sponsor through advertisement for holding specific events, the sponsor has been asked by the news. Various industry organizations are outraged by this compulsion of the DMK government,” he added.
“Already small and micro industries, ginning mills, spinning mills and other industries have been severely affected in Tamil Nadu, and the industry has been paralyzed due to the increased electricity tariff thrice after the DMK took over the government. It is reprehensible that the DMK government is using its power to insist on sponsoring the Formula Car race,” he added.
இரண்டாண்டுகளுக்கு சென்னையில் ஃபார்முலா கார் பந்தயத்தை நடத்த மாட்டோம் என்று சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் உறுதி பத்திரம் எழுதித் தந்துவிட்டு, கடந்த வாரம் இளைஞர் நலன் மற்றும் விளையாட்டுத் துறை கூடுதல் தலைமைச்செயலாளர் தமிழகத்தில் உள்ள கார் நிறுவனங்களுக்கு ஃபார்முலா கார் பந்தயத்தை சென்னை…
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) July 25, 2024
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