Salient points of the joint press conference of BJP National Spokesperson Shri Shehzad Poonawalla and Shri Anil Antony

 

Salient points of BJP’s National Spokesperson Shri Shehzad Poonawalla and Shri Anil Antony’s Joint Press Conference

 

Visuals of the burning pyres from Tamil Nadu fill us with shame, sorrow and grief. The 53 bodies being cremated are of Tamilians. This is not just a tragic image, it represents a man-made disaster, a state-sponsored murder for which the DMK government is solely responsible : Shri Shehzad Poonawlla
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Today, DMK stands for "Do nothing, Muzzle everyone, Kill everyone through illicit liquor." Another interpretation of DMK is "Daru, Mafia, Katta Panchayat": Shri Shehzad Poonawlla
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Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, why are you resisting a CBI probe into this matter? Why has the Minister of Prohibition and Excise not been dismissed immediately to ensure an impartial investigation? What is the cost of a life in Tamil Nadu?: Shri Shehzad Poonawlla
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Allowing illicit liquor to circulate at the cost of people's lives is not a “Sanyog” or an “Prayog'', it has become a “Udhyog” for the DMK: Shri Shehzad Poonawlla

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What will it take for Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra to speak up on this issue where 53 lives have been lost? It appears their concern for South India and the SC community was merely superficial: Shri Shehzad Poonawlla

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District Collector publicly stated that the deaths were due to a mysterious illness, not mentioning spurious liquor. This misinformation has led to a surge in people visiting outlets, causing a significant rise in victims and hospitalizations over the past two days: Shri Anil Antony
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BJP is demanding the immediate resignation of Prohibition & Excise Minister S. Muthusamy in response to these ongoing incidents: Shri Anil Antony
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Tamil Nadu BJP President Shri K Annamalai and other leaders have visited the victims in recent days. The Tamil Nadu BJP has announced ₹1 lakh as compensation for each affected family: Shri Anil Antony

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BJP is also questioning the silence of other partners in the INDI alliance such as the Congress and Communist Party on this issue. There has been no visible concern or evidence of communication from these leaders regarding the issue thus far: Shri Anil Antony

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Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has not yet visited those affected areas. BJP remains committed to ensuring justice for each victim and guaranteeing the well-being, safety and security of the people in Tamil Nadu: Shri Anil Antony
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BJP’s National Spokesperson Shri Shehzad Poonawalla and Shri Anil Antony addressed a joint press conference at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday. During the press conference, Shri Poonawalla and Shri Antony criticized the Tamil Nadu government and Chief Minister MK Stalin for overlooking the deaths caused by consumption of spurious liquor. They also criticised the parties in the INDI alliance and DMK allies for their silence on the matter, mentioning that the BJP has called for a CBI probe into the incident.

 

National Spokesperson of BJP,  Shri Poonawalla stated that the distressing visuals of the burning pyres emerging from Tamil Nadu compel every Indian to feel a profound mix of shame, sorrow, anger and grief. These are the bodies of 53 individuals who are not only Indians and Tamilians but also the breadwinners for their families. Most of these individuals were young members of the SC backward community living in Karunapuram, Tamil Nadu. This image will be remembered for a long time because it shows a disaster caused by people, not just a tragedy. It is a picture of state-sponsored killing, and the DMK government is to blame.

 

Shri Poonawalla pointed out that instead of addressing its responsibility for state-sponsored killings, the DMK continues to protect the perpetrators of this horrific crime. In May 2023, 23 people tragically lost their lives due to consuming adulterated liquor in Villupuram and Chengalpattu. During that time, the Tamil Nadu BJP exposed the connection between DMK leaders, officials and the illicit liquor trade operating in Tamil Nadu. However, no action was taken. ‘D’ in DMK stands for "Do Nothing," ‘M’ for "Muzzle Everyone" and ‘K’ for "Kill People with Illicit Liquor." Another interpretation of DMK has emerged as "Daru", "Mafia," and "Katta Panchayat." When this connection was exposed in May 2023, following the deaths of 23 people, instead of taking decisive action, Chief Minister Stalin and the DMK government shielded the entire network of illegal liquor mafia involving DMK politicians.

 

National Spokesperson of BJP, Shri Poonawalla stated that the entire operation was conducted openly in the middle of the town, right next to the court and police station in Karunapuram village, Kallakurichi. This could not have occurred without the involvement of the local police, political figures and other administrative bodies. According to media reports, one of the arrested accused had DMK party stickers on and outside his house, indicating deep and direct links with the DMK. Many more connections might be revealed through an impartial and fair investigation, but when the DMK government and police under its administration are complicit in this state-sponsored crime, justice is hindered. The DMK government has consistently perpetuated this kind of illegal liquor trade. In 2008, when the DMK was in power, 180 deaths occurred. It is clear that allowing illicit liquor to circulate at the cost of people's lives is not a “Sanyog” or a “Prayog”, but rather, has become a “Udhyog” for the DMK.

 

Shri Poonawalla highlighted that DMK functionaries, including individuals like Jaffer Sadiq, have repeatedly been involved in drug rackets. Therefore, in light of the recent tragic and extensive man-made DMK-sponsored murder, the Bharatiya Janata Party from Tamil Nadu to Delhi is making the following demands:

1.      Why is Chief Minister Stalin refusing a CBI probe into this matter, despite clear indications of involvement by their administration and police in the illicit liquor trade that caused the deaths of 53 people and possibly more? As for the CB-CID probe ordered by the state government, can there be any trust in its impartiality and thoroughness?

2.      Why is Minister of Prohibition and Excise, Muthuswamy, not being removed immediately to ensure an impartial probe can take place?

3.      What is the cost of one life in Tamil Nadu? Ten lakh rupees? Is it enough to take the life of one person in Tamil Nadu?

4.      Karunapuram is a predominantly SC-dominated area and the majority of the victims belong to the SC community. Those who proclaim loudly about "Dalit lives matter" are notably silent now. The deafening silence of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, who spoke extensively during elections about South India, their natural connection with the region and Dalits, is striking. After this man-made disaster caused by their ally DMK, they haven't uttered a single word or condolence message. Therefore, the question is to the INDI alliance, which seems to have a certain fascination with issues related to alcohol and liquor scandals, whether it's the "Sharab Ghotala" in Delhi, previous incidents under the government of Bhupesh Baghel in Chhattisgarh, or current issues in Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu. Why are members of the INDI alliance conspicuously silent on this entire issue?

5.      What will it take for Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra to speak up on this issue where 53 lives have been lost? It appears their concern for South India and the SC community was merely superficial.

 

National Spokesperson of BJP, Shri Poonawalla stated that since most of the victims are from the SC community, the SC Commission or other relevant commissions should take notice. They should initiate an inquiry and ask the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, along with the DGP and other officials of the Tamil Nadu police, who are accountable for the lives lost of these 53 people. The CM, MK Stalin, has not visited the affected areas yet, indicating he has avoided responsibility and accountability needs to be established. Therefore, he demanded a CBI investigation and immediate removal of the Prohibition and Excise Minister.

 

BJP National Secretary Shri Anil Antony expressed concern that the BJP is drawing national attention to alarming incidents in Tamil Nadu that pose serious threats to the well-being, safety, and security of its people. He pointed out that in recent days, more than 200 individuals across hospitals from Kallakurichi to Jipmer have been hospitalised and 53 deaths have been confirmed due to the consumption of easily accessible spurious liquor in Tamil Nadu.

 

Shri Antony pointed out that the state government's response and actions indicate collusion among government authorities and a lack of skillful approach, which is detrimental to the state's well-being. He highlighted that the initial incident occurred between Tuesday evening and Wednesday, June 19th, where several individuals were hospitalised across various hospitals after consuming spurious liquor. Following the deaths of several individuals, their relatives publicly claimed that the deaths were due to consumption of spurious liquor. However, the District Collector came forward publicly and stated on record that the deaths were due to a mysterious illness, without mentioning spurious liquor. This misinformation has led to more people visiting various outlets, resulting in a dramatic increase in victims and hospitalizations over the last two days. Such incidents have occurred before, in 2023, there were two similar instances resulting in 22 confirmed deaths. According to NCRB, Tamil Nadu recorded 20 such deaths in 2020 and 6 in 2021, indicating a recurring issue in the state. The BJP demands the immediate resignation of Prohibition & Excise Minister S. Muthusamy due to these ongoing incidents.

 

National Spokesperson of BJP, Shri Antony stated that despite Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's promise in his 2021 manifesto point 360 to gradually implement prohibition and abolish alcohol in the state, the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC), which is responsible for alcohol sales, has seen its revenue increase by 18 to 22% annually. This means that the state's prohibition policy has failed. He also requested the Chief Minister to review the prohibition policy promptly and implement necessary corrective measures.  

 

BJP National Secretary Shri Anil Antony mentioned that State BJP President Shri K Annamalai and other leaders have visited the victims in the past few days. Each victim is below the poverty line, belonging to the SC community and the sole breadwinners of their families. Tamil Nadu BJP has announced ₹1 lakh as compensation to each affected family. Shri K Annamalai, leading the Tamil Nadu BJP, has requested and is advocating for a CBI probe into the incident. The BJP also questions the silence of other partners in the INDI alliance like the Congress and Communist Party on this issue. There has been no visible concern or evidence of communication from these leaders regarding the issue so far. Shri Antony mentioned that Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has not visited those areas yet. The BJP is committed to ensuring justice for each victim and ensuring the well-being, safety and security of the people in Tamil Nadu.

 

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