CPI hits out at Centre, plans hunger strikes in Cyclone Gaja-hit districts

Anti-people policies and issues concerning unemployment and economic crisis are the factors behind the cause for poll debacle in five states, for which results were declared recently he said.

Talking to reporters in Madurai on Thursday, he said without realising the mindset of the people, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami was of the view that such results would not cause any impact on Tamil Nadu. Moreover, he said cyclone affected areas should be declared as ‘national disaster’ hit districts and step up rehabilitation works on a war footing.

Condemning the move to construct dam in Mekedatu by the Karnataka government, he said it would not only affect the Delta region districts, but the entire Tamil Nadu as access to water would be a big question in future. Hence, the farmers along all political parties should fight against the move, Nallakannu said.

Mutharasan, state secretary, CPI, said the party would stage hunger strike in cyclone hit districts of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Pudukkottai pressing the demand for declaring it as ‘national disaster hit’ districts. Even after a month, normalcy was not completely restored in these cyclone affected districts. Despite insisting on providing enhanced compensation as relief assistance to these affected districts, the Centre had not extended adequate funds to the state government.

Moreover, he said both the Central and the state government had been acting in favour of Sterlite management. If the plant resumed operation, people in Tamil Nadu would come out against such operation, he added.