EPS slams CM Vijay over Chennai youth’s murder, questions law & order

TNNChennai: A day after CM C Joseph Vijay taunted AIADMK as a spent force, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami launched a caustic attack on the questioning the TVK for alleged breakdown of law and order.Referring to reports that a 23 year old youth from Chennai’s Tondiarpet, named Vishnu, was beaten to death for opposing ganja sales in his locality, EPS asked if speaking out against contraband sales now invited murder. “Is this the change that was promised?” he asked in a social media post, tagging the CM’s official X handle.Accusing Vijay of functioning like a “reel hero” detached from his official responsibilities, EPS said, “Should people keep dying until you complete a six-month crash course on how to run the administration? Is no one even supposed to question that?”He took a dig at Vijay’s statement that he has appointed officers to control crime, EPS asked if that was enough.EPS questioned the last-minute cancellation of the launch of ‘Singappen’ special force for women’s safety. “Why was the programme cancelled? Have you compromised women’s safety to attend your assistant’s housewarming ceremony?” he asked.EPS said Vijay was neither functioning as a proper CM nor a party leader. Citing recent reports of sexual assault and criminal cases involving ruling TVK functionaries across the state over the past three weeks, EPS questioned how a leader unable to control his own party cadres could effectively administer the police force or ensure public safety.In another statement, EPS hit out at detractors within AIADMK, saying a few individuals were trying to weaken the organisation after enjoying power and positions, but would fail in their attempts. He urged AIADMK cadres not to lose hope because of the electoral defeat and asked them not to resort to any extreme step.“Do not be dejected by the party’s current situation. AIADMK has overcome difficult phases in 1988, 1989 and 1996,” Palaniswami said in a letter to party cadres.He assured cadres that the leadership would take all necessary steps to revive the party.