M K Stalin's remarks twisted, says Thangam Thennarasu

Former minister Thangam Thennarasu on Tuesday clarified that former chief minister M K Stalin had not called for the dismissal or toppling of the TVK government.

Thangam issued a statement saying that Stalin's remarks were being deliberately misrepresented. “DMK leader never said that the govt would fall within three months, nor is it our position to seek the collapse of an elected govt. He merely pointed to the growing concerns over governance, as well as law and order in the state,” Thennarasu said.





The clarification comes amid a political row over Stalin’s recent speech in which he remarked that the govt appeared unlikely to withstand even three months in its present condition. The comments drew criticism from leaders of various political parties, who interpreted the remarks as a prediction that the TVK govt would be toppled.

Thennarasu said Stalin had earlier announced that the opposition would refrain from criticising the new administration for six months after it assumed office. However, he said the worsening situation in the state had compelled the opposition to speak out sooner.

“When murders, robberies, sickle attacks, drug trafficking, petrol bomb incidents, power cuts, farmers’ protests and sexual assault cases dominate headlines every day, how can the opposition remain silent? His remarks reflected concern over the direction of the administration, not a desire to destabilise it,” Thangam said.

Referring to a recent sexual assault case involving a woman associated with the ruling party, Thennarasu alleged that while the accused had been arrested, no action had been taken against an MLA named by the complainant.

He also claimed that public disappointment with the ruling party had surfaced within weeks of it coming to power. “The remarks were intended to highlight the frustration being expressed by people. They were not made with the intention of seeking the dismissal or collapse of the govt. The people themselves are already losing patience,” he said.