DMK urges Governor to drop Karuppannan from Cabinet

The DMK has requested the Governor to dismiss Karuppannan from the council of Ministers and said it was a breach of oath of office if the Minister were not dropped from the Cabinet.

Referring to the speech made by the Minister at a function in Erode recently, DMK deputy legislature party leader Duraimurugan, in the representation made to the Governor Purohit in his name, said, “The direct threat issued by Minister Karuppannan to put the people to hardship by restricting access to public funds merely because they did not choose to elect candidates from his AIADMK party is unconstitutional, illegal and clearly a breach of his oath of office, since it exhibits ill-will against them.”

“If such persons are allowed to continue in the office of the council of Ministers, certainly, public faith in the government will be lost and the people will come to a conclusion that this is not a government run in accordance with the Constitution or law,” the representation, copy of which was circulated to the media, said.

The DMK had also enclosed a copy of a media report quoting the Minister as saying, “Even if they win, we are ruling party and only when we give money they can carry out works. If we don’t give money how can they do the work. What amenities in Sathi Union Council will come? None will come. We will give little money to the DMK chairman who won in the elections.”

The speech made by the Minister is that as a revenge on voters who have chosen to elect representatives from the DMK, the ruling AIADMK government will allocate insufficient funds to the local bodies where the people have elected DMK representatives, Duraimurugan stated.

“Such a malicious, irresponsible, divisive and vile statement is not only contrary to the Constitutional morality and laws but also a breach of oath of office ascribed by every Minister while being sworn in,” he added.

“In such circumstances, being the head of the executive wing of the state and who administered oath of office to Minister Karuppannan I hereby call upon you to exercise your power under Article 164 (1) of the Constitution of India and demand resignation of Karuppannan,” the DMK treasurer requested.