Ponnar challenges State minister on AIADMK corruption charges

Responding to agriculture minister R Doraikannu’s statement on Tuesday threating to “chop off the tongues” of those who spoke against the State government, the BJP leader said: “On several occasions, I have criticised the AIADMK government as corrupt. Will he dare to cut my tongue?” 

“Ministers should speak in a dignified manner and they have a responsible role to play as an elected representative. If there are hate speeches like this, where is the State heading towards? I urge all politicians, particularly those who are in power, to mind their language,” Radhakrishnan told media persons at the city airport. 

To a query on the Eelam issue and release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination case convicts, the minister said, “Whether it is the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi or Eelam Tamil crisis, the Congress and its ally the DMK should be blamed. Both parties are responsible for the dreaded events. They failed to act then.”  “Even now the Congress leaders demand that the Rajiv case convicts should not be released but there is no clarity on this issue from the DMK. Rajapaksa had revealed the ploy executed by the Congress against the Tamils in Sri Lanka. These political parties should now refrain from playing politics,” he said.

Radhakrishnan also said asked political parties not to bring politics into the release of the seven convicts and said it is the Governor who should decide.