New Delhi: The former Union Shipping Minister and senior DMK leader T R Baalu on Sunday caused a stir when he said that he would cut off the hands of anyone who touched his party president, Chief Minister M K Stalin, or Dravidar Kazhagam chief K Veeramani, reported news agency PTI.
The senior member of Parliament criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre for "abruptly halting the project" in relation to the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project, comparing it to pulling the chain to stop the train halfway.
Baalu said late Friday night that he would not tolerate anyone touching his leader and the DK president at an event held at Palanganatham by the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK), the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's ideological parent organization. He seemed to be referring to party president and Chief Minister Stalin and Veeramani.
"I will not hesitate to chop off the hand of anyone touching my leader (Stalin) or ayya (Veeramani). This is my dharma. If you feel this is not right, then you can go to court and say so. But by then, I would have done the deed," Baalu said with a smirk.
He accused the Central government of abruptly halting the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project in the middle of its progress, claiming that the government merely adhered to religious lines rather than applying its scientific mindset.
"Was it not foolish to stop the project which would have now fetched about Rs 750 crore profit per annum. I say with great agony you will not fare well, you (the BJP) will not win the election this time," Baalu cursed at the meeting which was attended among others by TNCC chief K S Alagiri and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan.
Despite the fact that no one was opposed to the project, neither the public consultation nor the initial phase of implementation saw the Center halt the project due to the presence of Ram Setu. "You had stopped the project when it was progressing fast, just like stopping a train by pulling the chain," Baalu said.
He stated that the Centre initially requested the Shipping Ministry to expedite the project, and he accused the BJP government of suddenly reversing its decision.
"A report suggested a fresh alignment through the Adam's bridge (Ram Setu) east of Pamban Island. Former Defence Minister George Fernandes had even said this project, apart from providing continuous navigable sea route, would also be a great asset to the national security as it will provide security on the periphery of the coast of India," he claimed.