Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President K Annamalai has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the murder of state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief K Armstrong, raising questions about Chief Minister MK Stalin’s reluctance to involve the federal agency.
Annamalai’s demand came after meeting Armstrong’s family on Monday. He criticized the Chief Minister for his inconsistency, pointing out that Stalin, during his tenure as Opposition leader, had frequently called for CBI investigations. “When the current Chief Minister was an Opposition leader, he used to demand a CBI inquiry for everything. I believe he demanded 71 CBI inquiries in 10 years while being in Opposition. This is a fit case for a CBI inquiry, but what is stopping him from it?” Annamalai asked.
Annamalai emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “Tamil Nadu cannot become a police state. This is an incident that should not have happened in a state like Tamil Nadu, and to a popular leader. Somebody has taken the whole system for a ride, and it looks like a conspiracy. Tamil Nadu Police cannot rest on the fact that some people have surrendered…Who are the people behind it?”
Both Armstrong’s family and BSP supremo Mayawati, who paid tribute to the slain party leader in Chennai on Sunday, have demanded a CBI inquiry. Annamalai echoed this sentiment, noting, “Tamil Nadu has become a land where murders are happening on the one hand and surrenders are happening on the other, people come out of jail very fast and they commit murder again…govt has to first acknowledge…until they let the Police act freely, there is not going to be an end to this menace.”
Highlighting the broader law and order concerns, Annamalai announced that Tamil Nadu BJP leaders, led by Union Minister of State L. Murugan, would brief the media in Delhi and meet with officials from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Human Rights Commission. “Tomorrow morning, Union Minister of State L. Murugan will hold a press conference. Our leaders are going to meet the officials of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and submit a petition regarding the atrocities that have been happening to the Scheduled Caste brothers and sisters in Tamil Nadu for the past 3 years. Tomorrow at 5 pm we are going to meet the leaders of the Human Rights Commission and complain about this. We are also going to meet Home Minister Amit Shah and ask for a CBI investigation,” Annamalai said. He stated that the party has identified 17 recent incidents in Tamil Nadu, including the contamination of a drinking water tank with human refuse in Vengaivayal, highlighting a rise in atrocities against Scheduled Castes.
He condemned the assassination of Armstrong, describing it as a brazen act of violence. “We have come to condole Armstrong’s home, who has passed away from us as the state president of the Bahujan Samaj Party. For the first time, a political leader has been killed by mercenaries in broad daylight in Chennai. Not only did the BJP strongly condemn this, senior leaders including National President Nadda heard about it over the phone,” he said.
Annamalai also criticized the DMK government’s handling of law and order, stating, “Law and order maintenance is going on in Tamil Nadu at a snail’s pace. The Chief Minister should wake up and take appropriate measures.”
He underscored the urgency of reforming the police department to prevent further incidents. “When pressure is put on the police, it becomes a police state. For the encounter, the number counter style is gone. But what we are asking is that we take action in advance. The police must do their job properly before an event takes place. Monitoring of raiders, people in jail, and those coming out of jail is essential.”
Addressing rumors about the BJP’s involvement in the Armstrong murder case, Annamalai said, “Regarding the news that a BJP executive has been arrested in the Armstrong murder case, our party does not have such documents. In our party, there are no sources that have given such responsibilities. The party has to show proof of participation in the event. Perhaps if the police show the documents, I will respond as the head of the state.”
In conclusion, Annamalai called for transparency and justice, urging the Tamil Nadu government to hand over the case to the CBI. “Tamil Nadu Chief Minister himself can give this case to CBI for probe because DMK is saying that they are a transparent government. The reality of the case will come out in the investigation,” he stated.
Annamalai and other BJP leaders are set to take their concerns to national authorities, seeking a thorough investigation and emphasizing the need for better law enforcement in Tamil Nadu.
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