Charging the ruling DMK with “unable to stand criticism”, CPI(M) on Thursday alleged that the former was resorting to violence against the Left party.
Party Tamil Nadu unit secretary G. Ramakrishnan alleged that his party workers were “either attacked or being intimidated” by the DMK men in Madurai and said a complaint had been preferred with the director general of police seeking action.
“CPI(M) leaders and workers being assaulted by DMK men has become a routine affair in Madurai. Intimidating on telephone, burning vehicles of party functionaries and making provocative remarks against us in DMK meetings have become common,” he told reporters here.
Mr Ramakrishnan said that this was due to the constant criticism of the government by his party on people’s issues, which he alleged had earned the ire of the ruling party.
“We have been criticising the government on various issues and pointing out their mistakes. They must take these criticism in the right spirit and try to solve people’s problems. Instead, resorting to violence is not proper,” he said.
In the complaint filed with the DGP, a copy of which was made available to press, Mr Ramakrishnan said besides the attack on party MLA from Madurai East, N. Nanmaran, during 2009 Lok Sabha elections, local DMK leaders resorted to intimidating tactics, especially while addressing public meetings.
Party senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP, T.K. Rangarajan, described the DMK as “anti-Dalit” for its approach towards Dalit issues in the state. On the “continuing” problems for Dalits in the communally sensitive Uthapuram area near Madurai, Rangarajan alleged that little had been done to mitigate their sufferings.
He said no action was being taken to distribute land among landless Dalits despite land available with the government at its disposal. On the suspension of IAS official C. Umashankar by Tamil Nadu government for allegedly producing fake community certificate, Mr Ramakrishnan said the state government had no jurisdiction as he was appointed by UPSC after “proper verification of documents”.
The party, Mr Ramakrishnan said, will hold state-wide movement from August 22-29 highlighting issues such as price rise, “failures of the Central and state governments”, and other people’s issues.
The CPI(M) would also hold “padayatra” on August 22 and party national leaders were scheduled to address public meetings on the culmination day of the programme on August 31 at Chennai, Cuddalore, Salem, Tanjavur, Madurai and Kovilapatti, he said.