CHENNAI: Amid the continuing war of words between the Treasury and the Opposition over the Parliament security breach on Wednesday, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Saturday demanded a statement from the Centre calling the incident a very ‘serious’ security lapse.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the DMK MP, who also happens to be the sibling of Chief Minister MK Stalin and departed party patriarch M Karunanidhi, said, “Two men intruded into the Parliament while two more were protesting outside. The incident showed that not even members of the Parliament are safe and our temple of democracy could be attacked any day. The incident represents a glaring security lapse. We need to understand this. They could have carried guns or explosives instead of smoke cans. It showed anyone could breach the security in the new Parliament building. The security for the members isn’t enough.”
Demanding a statement from the central government over the incident, the DMK MP said, “When the Parliament was attacked (in 2001), then Home Minister LK Advani gave a statement (in the Lok Sabha). We are asking for a similar clarification now.”
“The Union government should take responsibility for the incident and issue a clarification. Earlier, when the (old) Parliament was attacked (in 2001), then-Home Minister LK Advani had given a statement to the (Lower) House. We are asking for a similar clarification now. They should at least offer an explanation to the Opposition members over the incident. When we raised the issue, we were suspended. How could this be fair?” Kanimozhi added.
Along with 13 Congress members, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien was also suspended by House Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for the remainder of the ongoing Winter Session.
The DMK MP, meanwhile, participated in an event to distribute relief materials at KK Nagar for the people affected by floods in the aftermath of cyclone ‘Michaung’.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Kanimozhi said, “On behalf of the DMK’s women’s wing, we are here today distributing relief material to the people affected by the floods.”
After the cyclone wreaked havoc across the state and left several areas flooded in its wake, Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an immediate interim relief fund of Rs 5,060 crore.
The CM also requested PM Modi to send a central team to review the damages caused by the cyclone.
So far, almost Rs 1000 crore has been released in two instalments on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for aid to Chennai. (ANI)