MK Stalin takes part in Neduvasal stir, demands scrapping of project

Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Friday took part in the protests in Neduvasal against the hydrocarbon project and sought a special Assembly resolution to abandon the scheme, besides demanding an assurance from the centre to scrap the scheme.

Speaking to reporters after taking part in the protest, Stalin said a special session of the Assembly should be convened to pass a resolution to drop the project. The people are opposed to the scheme since agriculture would be affected, he said.

Though, the state government had announced that it would not allow the scheme, the protesters want an assurance from the centre that the project would be abandoned.

Denying MDMK general secretary Vaiko's allegation that the scheme was signed by him, Stalin said he signed only in an MoU for analysis for the methane project.

The MoU contained conditions like eliciting the opinion of the people, an analysis should be done and environment should be protected. The state government granted permission for the analysis and Centre alone has the power to implement the project. The DMK working president said Vaiko who has renounced politics is using his name for publicity.

Criticising the AIADMK government, he said the ministers had only the time to meet party general secretary V.K. Sasikala and no time for people's problems.  He also rejected BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan's allegation that the DMK is politicising the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project.

Earlier, addressing the protesters, Stalin said he had written a letter to the Union Petroleum Minister demanding the scrapping of the hydrocarbon project. He said DMK MPs Tiruchy Siva and Kanimozhi had met the minister and conveyed the demands of the protesters. He also alleged that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami did not take up the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and urged the state government to exert pressure on the centre to drop the project.

CPI MP D.Raja, who took part in the protests separately, said it was a protest to protect the entire state from corporates. PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss held at protest against the project in Neduvasal and Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T. Velmurugan led a protest in Chennai against the hydrocarbon scheme.

Congress announces protest against Neet, hydrocarbon project

Charging the BJP government at the centre with trying to impose the Neduvasal hydrocarbon project and Neet on Tamil Nadu, TNCC president S. Thirunavukkarasar announced a protest demonstration against the Centre on March 10 in the city.

Alleging that the BJP government was acting against the interests of Tamil Nadu people, the Congress leader said also flayed the state government for failing to stop the centre's moves. Expressing shock at school education minister K.A. Sengottaiyan's remarks that students in the state are ready to take Neet, Thirunavukkarasar said only 278 students from government schools had obtained admission in the 29,225 medical seats from 2009 to 2016, showing the standard of education in the state. Accusing the state government of complacency on Neet issue, Thirunavukkarasar alleged that the BJP leaders in the state are trying to impose Neet on Tamil Nadu.