Accused Gnanasekaran is not a DMK member; but sympathizer, says CM Stalin

CHENNAI: Facing the political onslaught of the opposition over the Anna University sexual assault case, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday categorically denied any links between accused Gnanasekaran and the DMK. However, he admitted that the accused was a sympathiser of the party.

Replying to a Special Call Attention motion moved by Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami among other MLAs in the House, Stalin told the State Assembly that accused Gnanasekaran was not a member of the DMK.

"He is not a member of the DMK. But, he is a DMK sympathiser. Indeed, he has taken photographs with a couple of ministers. But let me clarify. Even if he were a DMK member, stringent action would be initiated against him. But, let me categorically state here. He (Gnanasekaran) is not a DMK member."

The AIADMK-led Opposition, including deputy Leader of Opposition RB Udaya Kumar who spoke on Wednesday's special call attention motion in the Assembly on the issue, alleged that accused Gnanasekaran was a DMK member and the party did not initiate any action against him even after the case came to light.

After photographs of the accused seen alongside Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi and Health Minister Ma Subramanian surfaced, the AIADMK and BJP state units were alluding to the involvement of DMK persons in the case.

The ‘Who is the SIR’ slogan became a talking point in state politics after some alleged details of the case complaint and FIR, mainly those relating to an anonymous 'SIR ' accused Gnanasekaran is claimed to have spoken to while allegedly committing a crime surfaced.

Meanwhile, claiming that his government was uncompromising in acting on crimes against women since day one, the CM said that in about 86% of cases involving crimes against women, charge sheets were filed within 60 days and over 2.39 lakh awareness events were conducted in schools and colleges on women’s safety.

Citing the death penalty secured in a ‘very short time’ in the case of the murder of a woman pushed in front of the train in the city, the CM said, “Even if you don’t incline to appreciate this government for taking measures to ensure women and children’s safety, at least stop levelling baseless charges against the government.”

‘TN haven for women and children’

Reminding the HC of its observation regarding the politicisation of women’s safety, Stalin said that Tamil Nadu was flourishing as a haven for women and children owing to the continuous efforts of the state government.

Citing reports showing Chennai and Coimbatore as remaining among the top 10 safest cities for women, and Tiruchy, Vellore, Salem, Erode and Tirupur among smaller towns with less than 10 lakh population, the CM reiterated that his government would neither remain a spectator nor abstain from its duty in acting on Chennai sexual assault case or any other case.

Appealing to the opposition to refrain from engaging in cheap acts for political publicity in a sensitive case involving a girl student, the CM said, “The Dravidian model government is a government for women. Some people are trying to defame the government by levelling baseless allegations, it will never sell. I earnestly appeal to you not to intimidate and spoil the education of women in trying to defame the DMK regime. Crimes against women will be death with an iron fist.”