AIADMK fumes over vandalism of MGR statue in TN

Thanjavur (TN), Jan 25 (PTI) A 40 year-old daily wage labourer was arrested on Monday here for allegedly vandalising a statue of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, hours after the incident raised the hackles of the opposition AIADMK, which called for stringent action against the "anti-social elements" behind the incident.    

Police identified the arrested person as Sekar and said he vandalised the statue in an inebriated state.
    
  The bust of Ramachandran, the AIADMK founder who is more popularly known as MGR, at North Main Street here was found removed from the pedestal by some party workers this morning, sparking strong response from the main opposition party which said no insult to its founder will be brooked.
     Earlier, tense moments prevailed here for some time as party workers gathered at the spot following the vandalism.
    
     The AIADMK strongly reacted to the incident, alleging the role of "anti-social elements" behind the damage to the party founder's bust.
    
     While AIADMK Coordinator O Panneerselvam wanted legal action against those demeaning leaders who had served the country, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly and party Joint Coordinator, K Palaniswami derided any attempts to "malign Puratchi Thalaivar" (Revolutionary leader) and urged the government to quickly act on the matter.
    
     In a series of tweets, he hailed the late chief minister's pro-people measures aimed at the poorer sections of the society and said he therefore was etched in the hearts of people forever.
    
     "I strongly condemn the damaging of MGR's statue in Thanjavur by anti-social elements. The government should take stringent action against those maligning Puratchi Thalaivar and attempting to disturb public peace. Further, if such mischievous incidents continue, there would be serious consequences," the former chief minister said.
    
     He said the party workers will not remain silent over such incidents, while asserting that these would not dent the popularity of the late leader, also a yesteryear matinee idol.
    
     Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran also slammed the incident, saying damage caused to statues of leaders in the state should be stopped, alluding to earlier similar instances of vandalism of statues of rationalist leader and Dravidar Kazhagam founder EV Ramasamy Periar.
    
     He called for stringent police action against those involved in today's incident.
    
     Expelled AIADMK leader and close aide of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, VK Sasikala, also demanded action against those responsible for the vandalism. (PTI)