Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai lashed out at the DMK for the increase in illegal liquor sales in the state and demanded the dismissal of DMK minister Masthan, who has close ties to the main culprit in the illicit liquor network. He also demanded that DMK Liquor Minister Senthil Balaji should be sacked.
As of Monday evening, the death toll from the consumption of illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu had risen to 19. The alleged incident occurred in Ekkiyarkuppam, a small fishing hamlet in the Villupuram district. A significant number of fatalities were also reported in Sithamur, Chengalpattu district.
Amaran, who is thought to be the main suspect in the case, was apprehended by police yesterday. Based on his confession, the police were looking for Muthu, a bootlegger who was absconding. However, today he was arrested near Tindivanam based on his mobile location. According to reports, he was apprehended by police while on his way to surrender before the court.
Muthu admitted to the police that he bribed Excise Inspector, SI, L&O Inspector, his driver, Marakkanam Inspector, SI, Head Constable, and a few others in the police department, and that he gave the police more than half of his profits.
He also stated that he receives supplies from Raja alias Maroor Raja, the husband of DMK 20th ward councilor Ramya, who is known for his association with DMK minister Masthan. He went on to say that police on patrol would not stop Maroor Raja’s vehicle, which was carrying illegal liquor.
It is also said that DMK Minister Masthan persuaded the police not to charge Maroor Raja with Goondas Act when he was arrested a few months ago.
In a press statement given today, the president of the Tamil Nadu BJP demanded the dismissal of DMK Ministers Senji Masthan and Senthil Balaji.
Annamalai stated that such a large-scale network could not have operated without the knowledge of DMK Liquor minister Sebthil Balaji, citing a statement by the Director General of Police (DGP) C Sylendra Babu, who said that more than 1500 people had been arrested and over 1800 cases had been registered for bootlegging.
Furthermore, he stated that one of the network’s alleged kingpins, Marur Raja, is close to Masthan and uses his relationship with him to carry out his business of supplying illicit liquor. He also questioned the DMK government on the reason for not imposing the Goondas Act on Maroor Raja despite the fact that he was facing numerous criminal charges, including the sale of illicit liquor.
Annamalai also took a dig at Minister Senthil Balaji for not failing to visit the crime scene as he was preoccupied with the corruption charges he is facing. He further said that the Minister Senthil Balaji has lost his moral right to continue in office.
மரக்காணம் அருகே கள்ளச்சாராயத்தால் ஏற்பட்ட உயிரிழப்புக்கு மரூர் ராஜா என்பவர் தான் காரணம் என்று செய்திகள் வெளியாகியுள்ளன.
திமுக அமைச்சர் திரு செஞ்சி மஸ்தானுடன் மரூர் ராஜா மிக நெருக்கமாக இருந்துள்ளார். ஏன்?
இதற்காகத் தான் திரு செஞ்சி மஸ்தானை அமைச்சர் பதவியிலிருந்து நீக்க… pic.twitter.com/eIPANTASQh
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) May 16, 2023
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