Sack Masthan, EPS tells CM

CHENNAI: Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday charged that Minister for Minority Welfare and Overseas Tamil Welfare Gingee KS Masthan is aiding the anti-social elements in non-stop sale of illicit liquor and demanded his immediate resignation.

Four persons affiliated to the ruling party have been arrested in connection with sale of illicit liquor in Minister Masthan’s constituency. The police did not act against them since they were Minister’s supporters, said EPS in a statement.

Recalling last month’s hooch tragedy, which claimed the lives of 22 persons, the LoP took a dig at the drive against the bootleggers following the tragic incident. The police department had arrested several hundreds, in connection with brewing and selling of illicit liquor. “The police have achieved this in one day that they were unable to do in two years (of the DMK government),” he said.

The Minister has been acting in favour of his party functionaries and giving them free hand to operate bars illegally, he said and demanded the Minister to step down taking responsibility for the hooch deaths. Without giving any excuse, Chief Minister MK Stalin should act against the Minister for encouraging anti-social elements.

“Not only are they allowing illegal bars, but also selling liquor illegally in Tasmac outlets,” he said. He also pointed out to the death of a person near Melur in Madurai after consuming liquor from a Tasmac outlet. Two other persons were undergoing treatment. The police should do a thorough probe into the incident to find out the cause of the death instead of covering it up, he said.