Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday asserted that not even a "speck of dust" fell on state Governor R N Ravi during a black flag protest against him in Mayiladuthurai and said the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s attempts to "do politics" over the matter will not fructify "as this is DMK rule."
Seeking to turn the tables on the principal opposition party, which staged a walkout of the assembly over the issue, Stalin also sought to remind it of an alleged attack on then governor Chenna Reddy in the ’90s during AIADMK rule and pointed out that an assembly resolution for his recall was also adopted then.
Speaking in the state assembly on the black flag protest against Ravi, Stalin, quoting the ADGP (L&O), said there was no truth in the claims that stones and flagpoles were thrown on Ravi's convoy during his visit to a mutt in Mayiladuthurai district on Tuesday.
Leader of Opposition K Palaniswami and state Bharatiya Janata Party chief K Annamalai had on Tuesday made such claims about the protest against the governor when he visited a mutt in Mayiladuthurai district.
Stalin rejected the allegations as "baseless."
"The ADGP has clarified that police erected barricades and confined the agitators. Later, when they were arrested and taken in the van, argument ensued and they untied the black flags tied in plastic pipes and threw them," the CM said.
The aide de camp to the governor has also written to the state DGP saying Ravi and the convoy passed unharmed, he added.
Targeting the AIADMK, Stalin said, "They saw this as a chance to do politics which is normal for political parties" and that separate statements from party coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator Palaniswami on the matter was proof enough of it as they generally issued joint statements on various matters.
Detailing the security measures for the governor, Stalin said nearly 1,200 police personnel under the central zone IG, with officers including two DIGS and six SPs, were deployed.
"Even if the protest was democratic, this government has taken due steps for the safety of the governor. This government won't make any compromise in ensuring security for the governor."
"The Leader of Opposition (Palaniswami) and deputy leader (Panneerselvam) think they can do politics over the matter, using the governor. Let me make it clear -- that will not at all happen, because this is DMK government," Stalin said and lashed out at the LoP over the Sathankulam custodial deaths and police firing on anti-Sterlite protesters in Tuticorin when he was chief minister.
"As far as this government is concerned, let me make one thing clear. Police had prevented (those who staged the black flag demo). It ensured not even a speck of dust fell on the governor. Not just that, cases have been filed against the agitators and a probe is on. This government has a duty to protect those in constitutional positions, to ensure their security. The police department is diligently doing that," the chief minister added.
The BJP and AIADMK staged a walkout over the issue. The two opposition parties, besides DMK ally Congress, raised the issue in the House.
