Coimbatore, Nov 13 : We The Leaders founder K Annamalai has raised concerns over the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu under the TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. He questioned the government’s response to recent crime incidents and alleged controversies involving a ruling party MLA. At the same time, he described former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s newly released autobiography, Belonging: A Journey of Love, as an important read despite their ideological differences.
Annamalai Questions Vijay Government Over MLA Controversy
Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore on Friday, Annamalai criticised the Chief Minister’s Office and the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for remaining silent over an alleged controversy involving the party’s Kallakurichi MLA and a woman district collector.
He pointed out that the collector had reportedly been absent from government events and demanded clarification from Chief Minister Vijay, who also handles the Home portfolio.
Annamalai asked the government to clarify whether the MLA had sent an inappropriate text message to the woman officer.
He said that if the allegation was true, the government should take immediate action. If it was false, the Chief Minister should publicly clarify the matter. He also urged the IAS Officers’ Association to respond to the issue.
According to Annamalai, the government’s continued silence was creating public suspicion and weakening people’s trust in the administration.
Annamalai Criticises Tamil Nadu Police Over Deepavali Murders
Annamalai also criticised the TVK government over what he described as a deterioration in Tamil Nadu’s law and order situation.
He claimed that 15 to 17 murders were reported across the state on Deepavali day alone. These reportedly included gang-related revenge killings and the murder of an IT professional.
Questioning the police response, he said authorities conducted a rowdy parade and detained around 300 history-sheeters in Chennai only after Deepavali and subsequent media reports.
He argued that the police should have taken preventive action before the festival instead of responding after violent incidents occurred.
Annamalai also referred to reported TASMAC liquor sales of Rs 441 crore over two days during Deepavali. He further raised concerns over incidents of prisoners escaping from jails in different parts of Tamil Nadu, including Theni.
Vijay Asked to Focus on Police Reforms
Referring to the 35 per cent vote share secured by TVK, Annamalai said voters had supported the party hoping for a change in governance.
He urged Chief Minister Vijay to introduce meaningful police reforms and strengthen preventive policing rather than simply highlighting arrests made after crimes.
However, Annamalai said he would wait until the TVK government completed one year in office before making a detailed assessment of its overall performance.
Annamalai Warns Against Horse-Trading Ahead of Floor Test
Annamalai also responded to rumours of possible horse-trading among political parties ahead of a potential floor test in Tamil Nadu.
Referring to reports that TVK General Secretary and Minister N Anand had met around 30 MLAs at his residence, along with reports of closed-door meetings at a private star hotel, he cautioned opposition parties against attempting to attract legislators from the ruling party.
He said the people of Tamil Nadu would not forgive political leaders who tried to destabilise an elected government within six months of its formation.
He also warned against creating another political crisis and forcing a floor test while by-elections were underway in the state.
Annamalai Calls Sonia Gandhi’s Autobiography an Important Read
Separately, Annamalai shared his views on former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography, Belonging: A Journey of Love.
He said he had started reading the book and believed that political leaders should be willing to understand perspectives different from their own.
Annamalai said the autobiography offered interesting insights into Sonia Gandhi’s journey, from her time at Cambridge University to her relationship with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
He also referred to the book’s discussion of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Emergency, her decision not to accept the Prime Minister’s post in 2004 and her battle with cancer.
Although he said some of her viewpoints could be debated and certain accounts might be viewed as historical whitewashing, he maintained that Sonia Gandhi had every right to present her version of events.
He noted that she had led the Congress for a decade and experienced several political challenges during her leadership.
Annamalai’s remarks covered two important aspects of Tamil Nadu politics: the TVK government’s handling of law and order and the importance of understanding political leaders’ perspectives, even when ideological differences exist.
