TN Rains 2021: Political Furore Takes Centre Stage During Relief Work Even As CM Continues To Be On Field

The ruling and Opposition parties of Tamil Nadu have at least taken the opportunity in three different instances to lash out at each other

TN CM Stalin reviewing control rooms (Credit: Twitter)

Chennai: Rains are battering the state incessantly for the past four days and relief operations are underway even as more rains are predicted for Tamil Nadu but political allegations between the Dravidian majors are yet again taking the centre stage. The ruling and Opposition parties of Tamil Nadu have at least taken the opportunity in three different instances to lash out at each other. 

The war of words between the political parties comes even as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is continuously hitting the field from Sunday to take stock of the situation. The Chief Minister visited flooded parts of Chennai including his constituency Kolathur, corporation shelters, food distribution centers and Amma canteens. On Wednesday, the Chief Minister took stock of the control rooms set up in Ezhilagam to review the works.

However, the first leg of accusations between the Dravidian majors started on Tuesday after MK Stalin visited T Nagar, where floodwaters are yet to recede even though stormwater drains were constructed as part of the smart city project in the area.

After conducting inspections, the Chief Minister alleged that the former Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani was the reason for waterlogging in Chennai. The Chief Minister talking to the media said, "The AIADMK government took the initiative for smart city project and received funds from the Centre. However, till now, there is no clarity on what they did with the money. We will form a commission to investigate the allegation including on the corruption by former Minister SP Velumani." 

However, Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami denied the allegation against his government and said that the flood-like situation was due to the delay in the current government deputing IAS officers for carrying out monsoon preparedness works. 

Meanwhile, another controversy erupted after Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai went to make a visit to Kolathur in a boat. A video from Kolathur showed Annamalai traveling in a boat and getting down in ankle-deep water to interact with a resident. In another video, a person is heard instructing the cameraman to take pictures.

However, soon Twitterati started trolling Annamalai in conducting a photo operation in Kolathur.

Yet, BJP state president in a tweet said, "It's shameful one has to go in a boat to our CMO Tamilnadu, MK Stalin own Kolathur constituency. He is the MLA here for 10 years+!  Streets waterlogged, electricity not there in most of the houses & people losing their daily livelihoods! This has been a yearly occurrence!"

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Minister For Higher Education K Ponmudi criticised AIADMK while visiting the Thalavanur check dam which broke on Tuesday. Ponmudi said, "The check dam was built during the AIADMK regime just a year ago. I have told the authorities and action has been initiated against the authorities and this is the proof of AIADMK government."