BJP to hold football tournament in memory of Priya: Annamalai

CHENNAI: State BJP chief K Annamalai on Thursday said the party would organise a football tournament in Chennai in memory of the 17 year-old football player, Priya, who died due to medical negligence.

“We lost one Priya, but we want to create 10 Priya every year. So, we have asked Priya’s brothers to identify 10 players (girls) every year. Our party will provide kits and sponsor their coaching,” said Annamalai after meeting the family of the girl, who died on Wednesday without responding to the treatment at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

Former Indian football team captain I M Raman Vijayan along with party functionaries would visit Priya's residence within five days to make these arrangements, he added. “We will bring Union Sports Minister and Union Minister of State L Murugan for the tournament organised by the party in memory of Priya,” he added.

Denying State Health Minister Ma Subramanian charges that BJP was doing politics over the death of the young footballer, Annamalai said that the party has been indulging constructive politics. He added that the health minister has been contradicting his statement over the treatment that turned fatal for the girl

He also criticised Chief Minister M K Stalin as Priya was operated in the government hospital in his Kolathur constituency. He failed to act as an MLA to ensure quality of treatment in hospitals in his constituency. He further said, “The government is responsible for the demise of the girl and the CM cannot walk away by announcing compensation,” he said.

PANEL FINDS MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

Meanwhile, the report by expert committee to enquire medical negligence at RGGH, has found the hospital guilty. It held operating surgeon, anaesthetist, duty medical officer, the duty Casualty Medical Officer, who is the orthopaedic surgeon and the post operative ward staff responsible for the negligence. The officials said further investigation will be conducted in this regard and based on the legal opinion, legal provisions of the case would be altered.