Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: EPS demands CM Stalin’s resignation – Times of India

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday demanded the resignation of chief minister M K Stalin in the wake of the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy which claimed several lives.

Political parties criticised the DMK govt for its failure to control the production and sale of illicit liquor. The BJP state unit announced state-wide protests on Saturday.

Talking to reporters after visiting a hospital in Kallakurichi, Palaniswami alleged the involvement of DMK functionaries in the incident.

He said, “The ministers assured action on sale of illicit liquor upon information. But our Kallakuruchi (AIADMK) MLA complained to the superintendent of police about the sale of spurious liquor last week and reminded the officer of the required action a few days ago. Last year, he sought to move a special calling attention motion seeking action but the govt did not take it up.”

The AIADMK leader demanded an increase in ex-gratia payments to Rs 25 lakh for the victims. He announced that AIADMK would bear the educational expenses of children who lost parents and provide Rs 5,000 per month to each affected family.

Palaniswami questioned the effectiveness of past investigations, stating, the fate of CB-CID probe into the similar incident in Villupuram and Chengalpet districts last year was unknown.

He criticized the ruling DMK for not deploying more ministers and providing high-quality treatment, drawing a comparison with their vigorous involvement in the Vikravandi bypoll.

“This DMK govt lacks concern for the people. Power is what matters for them. The chief minister who does not care about the poor and voters,” he said.

The AIADMK general secretary criticised the district collector for misleading the public regarding the causes of death. Hitting out at the district collector for ‘lying’ that stomach pain, bouts of diarrhea and age-related illness were the reasons for the cause of death, Palaniswami said how could the poor get justice with such officials in position. He slammed govt for not providing men and machinery to the hospital built by his previous govt at Rs 400 crore.

BJP state president K Annamalai reiterated his demand to sack prohibition and excise minister S Muthusamy from the cabinet.

Taking to X, he posted, “The chief minister should ponder if he (Muthusamy) has the righteousness to continue in his position after the gruesome death of over 60 lives due to illicit liquor in the last two years.”

AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran alleged that action against the district collector and police officials was only eyewash and reflected the administration’s total failure.

Taking to X, actor Vijay said the recurrence of a hooch tragedy, even as one still to recover from the loss of several lives last year, exposed the govt’s indifference.