Senthil Balaji evades written promise to close sand quarries

Chennai: With closure of sand quarries emerging as a major poll issue, former minister Senthil Balaji had a tough time on Monday as local demanded his signature assuring to fulfill the demand.

The AIADMK candidate, who went to Pugalur at Aravakurichi, was surrounded by villagers who gave him a form which contained a statement of assurance to close the sand quarries.

The former minister who was taken aback, quickly asked if they had sought similar signatures from other party candidates. The villagers said he was the first candidate to canvass votes in the area and they would ask every candidate who came for votes in their area to sign the form.

However, an evasive Senthil Balaji, did not sign the form, but read the statement aloud. One of the statements in the form said "If I had acted in support of environment pollution and degradation of natural resources, besides supporting sand robbery, I am seeking public apology". The minister also read the statement which vowed to close all the illegal quarries in the area and stop the pollution from TNPL factory and Pugalur sugar mill.

However, supporters of Senthil Balaji who were with him blocked the event from being videographed.