Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Chennai: AIADMK general secretary and leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu assembly Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister MK Stalin and alleged that the DMK government has completely failed to rein in sex offenders within the ruling party.
In a strongly worded statement, Palaniswami expressed surprise over reports that a DMK central secretary from Villupuram allegedly harassed and sexually assaulted a woman for the last six months.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly threatened the woman repeatedly and claimed that “the police can’t do anything to me; I am the big man here”, and used his position in the party to “intimidate” her.
Palaniswami said the incident had “exposed” a “disturbing pattern” under DMK rule, where “women often face threats, harassment and assault from individuals holding influential positions within the ruling party”.
“What is the Chief Minister’s reaction to the suffering of women under DMK rule?”. he asked.
“Do women now need protection from the DMK instead of protection from them?”
The AIADMK leader further alleged that the Chief Minister has consistently “failed” to take action against party officials involved in serious crimes.
“From a close aide of a minister caught in disgraceful acts to this Union Secretary who has been accused of blatant misconduct, the Chief Minister has proved time and again that he is a leader who cannot control the sexual predators within the DMK,” he said.
Questioning the credibility of the government’s law and order claims, Palaniswami said, “A chief minister who cannot discipline his party workers cannot be trusted to protect the people of Tamil Nadu.”
“If the CM is unable to rein in people from his own ranks, how can he protect the entire state?” he asked.
Palaniswami called the allegations against the Villupuram DMK central secretary “heinous” and “extremely worrying” and urged the government to take immediate action.
“I demand that the Stalin-led DMK government initiates strict and prompt legal action against the accused without political interference,” he said.
He said the safety of women in Tamil Nadu cannot be ensured as long as those in power remain indifferent to crimes committed by their own supporters.
The AIADMK leader reiterated that the opposition will continue to raise its voice against such incidents and hold the government accountable for the safety and dignity of women across the state.
–IANS