News Tamil Nadu

PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss Criticizes VCK Leader Thirumalavan For Labeling Party As Casteist, Questions Hypocrisy Of Anti-Alcohol Stance

September 15, 2024
The Commune

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President and Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss has criticized Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thirumalavan for labeling the secular PMK party as casteist. Ramadoss questioned how a party known for advocating reservations can be deemed casteist, and asked ideology behind Thirumalavan’s own party. He urged Thirumalavan to cease his propaganda and expressed support for his efforts to protest for complete alcohol prohibition in the state.

PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss met with journalists who had arrived at Madurai Airport for various programs organised by his party. During the interaction, he addressed several issues:

Anbumani Ramadoss, initially criticizing the ruling DMK’s policies, stated, “In Tamil Nadu, youth are dying due to drug abuse. What is the police doing about this? Is the Chief Minister aware of the situation?” Later, addressing the helicopter tourism program at Chennai’s ECR, he said, “Chennai, which is a major destination for migratory birds, sees one-third of the birds arriving in Tamil Nadu. Introducing a helicopter tourist site there would negatively impact these birds.”

When reporters inquired about the VCK chief’s decision not to invite the PMK to the alcohol prohibition conference, citing the PMK as a casteist party, Anbumani Ramadoss responded, “What’s his party then? Pattali Makkal Katchi is a party that was stated for providing social justice. Over 36 years, our leader, Doctor, has secured six reservations for us. Despite this, Thirumavalavan continues to disparage the party with so many achievement, which he should refrain from. We could also criticize his party disrespectfully,” he warned. “Stop with this.”

Anbumani Ramadoss further stated widespread support for alcohol prohibition, and the PMK welcomes anyone advocating for such measures in India. If Thirumalavan holds a conference on this issue, the PMK will support it, as prohibition aligns with the party’s fundamental principles. However, he stressed that the portrayal of the PMK as a casteist party must cease. Ramadoss also mocked the VCK, suggesting that while they are still in the early stages of addressing these issues, the PMK has a PhD-level expertise in protesting against liquor.

Anbumani Ramadoss also criticized Thirumalavan for his hypocrisy in aligning with the DMK, which owns many brewing distilleries, while aiming to ban alcohol. He suggested that Thirumalavan first address this issue to his DMK allies and invite Kanimozhi to his anti-alcohol conference. Ramadoss emphasized that if Thirumalavan is genuinely committed to eliminating alcohol, he should have engaged with the Pattali Makkal Katchi first.

He pointed out the contradiction in Thirumalavan’s stance, noting that while he advocates for alcohol prohibition, he campaigns alongside distillery owners like TR Baalu and Jagathrakshakan, who supply 40 percent of the liquor sold in Tamil Nadu government’s TASMAC shops.

In this context, Mukkulathor Pulipadai party leader also criticized VCK’s Thirumalavan’s anti-liquor conference, calling it a staged drama and a political stunt. Actor Karunas, who addressed the media in Madurai on Saturday, remarked, “He says there is no invitation to casteist and religious parties are not invited, but what was he been doing all this time? what is his parties fundamental ideology? Ramadoss’s party PMK is a recognised party by the election commission and his party also recognised by it, if Pattali Makkal Katchi is a casteist party means the what is Viduthalai Chiruthaigal katchi? if today he had joined someone called Arjun ready immediately had it become as a national party? what is this?”

 

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