Infection among cadre of AIADMK, DMK new worry

Chennai

In Choolaimedu area in city, a coronavirus hotspot, the race against DMK and AIADMK ward secretaries to reach out to the public with relief works have ended with a change of guard, as the AIADMK functionary died and his DMK rival has also tested positive for the infection. A similar Dravidian majors foot workers battle has ended with the DMK ward secretary Duraisamy passing away last week due to COVID-19.

Confirming it, a government medical officer on COVID-19 duty said, “Most of these party workers have executed relief works.” A substantial number of local politicians are getting admitted to coronavirus wards in Stanley and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospitals.

“On a daily basis, I am making more than half a dozen calls to my hospital sources checking the details of the party functionaries hospitalised and these party men were the ones who were executing relief works for the public affected by COVID-19 lockdown since March,” said K Srinivasan, former Park Town AIADMK MLA.

“We have lost two ward secretaries based in Choolai and Royapuram. Another ward secretary in Triplicane is on life support. The sudden death of our party workers has made us reel in pain and those living in the hotspots are continuing the relief works amid coronavirus fear,” he said.

“In politics, you cannot ignore the public when they are in disaster. If these party men do not provide relief there will be more with hungry stomachs,” added the former district secretary.

“Our Thalaivar Stalin has asked the cadre to execute relief works in Chennai. How can we leave the public in the middle of a pandemic? There is no retirement for an active politician,” said former DMK ward secretary Purushothaman of Choolai. “Our party has lost a ward secretary in Perambur and district secretary J Anbazhagan is fighting for life, but we will continue the relief works,” added Purushothaman. “At least once in an alternate day, I got some relief from the political party representatives. More people would have died of hunger if the north Chennai DMK and AIADMK haven’t executed relief works,” said K Jacob, a platform dweller.