Election duty Tamil Nadu: BJP demands Alagiri's removal from union cabinet

MADURAI: BJP has demanded removal of M K Alagiri as Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers in the wake of police registering cases against him and some DMK workers on charges of assaulting an election official and a videographer at a village in the district.

Talking to reporters here last evening, BJP national secretary P Muralidhar Rao said, "Democracy is facing a threat in Tamil Nadu with even election officials not being able to discharge their duties."

He said, "If Alagiri is not removed from the ministry, his status as Union Minister will provide immunity to him in the cases."

Alagiri, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, along with 52 other partymen were booked by police yesterday in connection with alleged assault at Keelavalavu village in Melur assembly segment.

Tehsildar M Kalimuthu, who is the Assistant Returning Officer for Melur Assembly segment, and a videographer, part of a flying squad, were assaulted allegedly by DMK activists when they videographed Alagiri's visit to a temple in Melur.

A case was registered against Alagiri and others on a complaint from the Tehsildhar for offences under the IPC including unlawful assembly, waylaying and assaulting government servant and violating prohibitory orders.

Rao alleged that Congress and DMK have "realised" that they would not be able to win the April 13 assembly polls without paying money to public. "Now they are dependenting on money than people as they knew they are fighting a losing battle. That is why they are intimidating the officials," he alleged.