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“What Is He Doing? Is He An Officer?” Netizens Question Maamannan Director Mari Selvaraj Accompanying Udhayanidhi To Flood-Hit Areas

The Commune

Kollywood director known for caste-based films like Maamannan, Mari Selvaraj, was seen along with DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin as the latter “inspected” the flood-affected areas of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu which have been severely impacted by the recent heavy rains. 

Hailing from Tirunelveli himself, Mari Selvaraj described the challenging situation in agricultural areas near water bodies, where some villages have been completely cut off. He emphasised the difficulties in conducting rescues due to people stranded on buildings and trees, making boat access problematic. The director, along with Tamil Nadu’s Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, visited affected villages in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli, witnessing the dire conditions. 

As reported in The Indian Express, Mari Selvaraj said, “No one expected such a devastating disaster here. This place is dependent on rivers. The problem with saving people is that the villages are cut off from each other. People have found refuge on top of trees and houses. So it has become hard to go in and rescue all of them. There are villages which are totally cut off where even boats can’t go in. About 12 villages are like that. They were completely cut off for the past two days. They haven’t had access to food and communication. We rarely get a message from those areas. We are working based on that. We have spoken to MP Kanimozhi and asked for helicopters to access those places. Helicopters are the only way with which these places can be reached.”

Netizens found pictures of Mari Selvaraj and Udhayanidhi Stalin circulating on the internet very reminiscent of the pictures of director Ram Gopal Varma and then Congress Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh as they inspected the 26/11 site. 

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President also questioned why Mari Selvaraj was doing the rounds while the CM was missing. He wrote on his X handle, “The CM of TN, who is expected to monitor and be on the ground to facilitate relief for the people affected by flood in the Southern districts of TN, is busy attending I.N.D.I. Alliance meeting in Delhi. The famous saying “Nero played a Fiddle while Rome burnt” comes to life with the act of Thiru MK Stalin. While Thiru @mkstalin is in Delhi, he also decides to seek an appointment with our Hon PM, a last-minute cover created to divert people from his real agenda of travel. TN CM’s son, deputed on his behalf, lands to monitor the Flood relief with a Film Director, striking similarity to a former CM of Maharashtra who brought a film producer outside Oberoi Hotel while the shooting & bombing were happening during 26/11. Relief from the State Government seems like a far-fetched dream for the people of South TN. #MissingCM”

Many questioned why he was a part of the team that was inspecting the flood situation. 

 

 

Some even “nicknamed” him Disaster Management Minister Mari Selvaraj.

Others questioned as to why Mari Selvaraj was present while the Chief Minister was conspicuously absent – attending the I.N.D.I alliance meeting in New Delhi. 

Responding to questions regarding his involvement, Mari Selvaraj clarified the “collaborative efforts” with government officials and the urgent requirement for aerial assistance in the ongoing rescue operations.

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