Former Tamil Nadu Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan Demands CBI Inquiry into BSP Leader K Armstrong’s Death
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 7: Former Tamil Nadu governor and BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan has questioned the silence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the death of BSP leader K Armstrong. She has demanded a CBI inquiry into the case, citing an increase in political murders in the state.
Political Murders in Tamil Nadu
Tamilisai Soundararajan criticized the state government, stating, “The Dravidian model has become a murder model now. It is unacceptable. The day before yesterday one AIADMK worker was killed, day before yesterday, PMK, and one of our Karyakarta’s husband was brutally attacked in Anna Nagar.”
She further added, “Political murders have increased in Tamil Nadu but Stalin is silent. CBI enquiry is required in this murder. Even three months back, one of their alliance partner, Congress district President Jayakumar has been killed. No investigation was done, victims are not arrested. Sitting in the jail, some people are behind the murder. We can’t just brush away that it is a personal rivalry.”
Questions Raised on CM Stalin
Soundararajan also questioned why Chief Minister Stalin did not visit Kallakurichi after the spurious liquor case in which 65 people were killed. She said, “Why didn’t Stalin visit Kallakurichi and why is he not coming to pay homage to such a leader (K Armstrong)…he is afraid of coming here.”
Mayawati’s Tribute
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo Mayawati visited and paid floral tributes to the slain party’s Tamil Nadu Chief, K Armstrong, at Corporation School Ground in Chennai. She urged the state government to refer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Mayawati termed the incident ‘saddening’ and ‘devastating’.
She said, “It is very saddening moment. He was my friend. He was the President of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)’s Tamil Nadu unit. He was connected with the movement led by Baba Bhimrao Ambedkar. When he wanted to work for the people, he chose Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Since his association with the party, he worked whole-heartedly. The way he was assassinated outside his residence, is very devastating.”
Rahul Gandhi’s Visit
Following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state after the murder of the BSP Chief, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla questioned whether the Congress MP would demand an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said, “Will you demand from the DMK government to conduct a CBI probe into the matter? Will you press the government to ensure accountability? Will you meet the families of the victims of the Kallakurichi incident? No, because for Rahul Gandhi, it’s not Leader of Opposition; it is rather Leader of Opportunism.”
He claimed that law and order had been “destroyed” in Tamil Nadu, adding that the alliance of the Congress and the DMK is “responsible” for it. “Law and order has been destroyed in Tamil Nadu, and the DMK and Congress alliance is responsible for it. The lives of Dalits in the state are under threat. A person is murdered at 7 pm, and no one is answerable. Previously, 65 Dalits were killed in Kallakurichi. Mayawati has even demanded a CBI probe. If there is nothing to hide, why don’t they get a CBI investigation done? This explains that the DMK government can neither ensure the safety of Dalits nor bring them to justice,” he said.
Law and Order Concerns
Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai also criticized the state government and questioned the law and order situation in the state. He said, “Yesterday, a party leader was hacked to death. There is no guarantee for a common man’s life in this DMK-led state government.”
Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu chief of BSP, was hacked to death by a mob of unidentified men near his residence in Perambur, Chennai. Chennai police have secured eight suspects so far and formed a special team to investigate the murder of the BSP leader.