Scared AIADMK 'cannot face the people', alleges DMK

Chennai, Aug. 21 (ANI): Taking potshots at Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK Government over the recent FIR lodged against Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin and fellow party legislators, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Sunday said this clearly reveals that the Tamil Nadu Government is afraid and not in a position to counter the opposition's charges. "This government is afraid and cannot face the people. Facts are spoken in the assembly. They are afraid. They don't want to reply to the Opposition's charges. They don't want to speak to the media; they don't want to face the media. That is why they are taking all these steps," said DMK leader TKS Elangovan. Expressing his ire over the FIR lodged against his party colleagues, Elangovan asked how it was unlawful for an MLA to enter the state secretariat premises. "On 18th (July), an FIR has been filed against the Leader of Opposition Mr. Stalin and 40 MLAs for having entered the state secretariat. They have not entered the premises of the assembly, they have entered the state secretariat to go to the assembly or to go to the Leader of Opposition's room," Elangovan told ANI. "Another case was filed on 19th (July) also against the Leader of Opposition and our 60 MLAs for having gathered in the Secretariat stating that it is unlawful gathering...If it is unlawful, then I don't know what is lawful," he added. Earlier in the day, the police filed cases against Stalin and other DMK legislators for holding protests inside and outside the state assembly last week. The FIR was registered against 60 MLAs even as the DMK announced plans for a similar protest outside the assembly tomorrow. The DMK legislators were protesting against the August 17 decision of Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker S. Dhanapal for suspending them from the House for a week. The MLAs have challenged their suspension in the Madras High Court. (ANI)