Chennai, July 6 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, alleging that the law-and-order situation in the State has deteriorated under the TVK-led government and accusing the Chief Minister of failing to ensure public safety.

In a strongly worded statement, Nagenthran claimed that the government had failed to respond effectively to a series of recent crimes and alleged that the Chief Minister was offering explanations instead of taking decisive action against offenders.

The BJP leader referred to the reported abduction of a Congress functionary in Coimbatore district and the alleged attempt to murder a young girl in Virudhunagar district, describing the incidents as evidence of a worsening law-and-order situation in the State.

He said the TVK-led government had remained a “mute spectator” to such incidents and questioned its ability to protect citizens despite repeated assurances on public safety.

Nagenthran also sought to highlight the political significance of the Coimbatore incident, pointing out that the victim was associated with the Congress, an alliance partner in the ruling coalition.

He alleged that the government’s inability to safeguard even functionaries of parties that are part of the ruling alliance reflected what he described as an administrative failure on the part of the Chief Minister.

“The fact that the Chief Minister is struggling to provide safety in public spaces even to functionaries of alliance partners exposes the failure of his administration,” Nagenthran alleged. He further claimed that the people of Tamil Nadu had voted for political change with the expectation of better governance and improved security, but were now living in fear because of the increasing number of violent crimes being reported from different parts of the State.

Calling for immediate intervention, the State BJP president urged the Chief Minister to accord top priority to restoring law and order and ensuring the safety of the public. He said the government should act firmly against those responsible for criminal activities, irrespective of their background or influence, and ensure that offenders are brought to justice without delay.

Nagenthran maintained that the government should stop offering excuses and instead concentrate on preventing crime through effective policing and swift legal action. He asserted that maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of any government and said the people of Tamil Nadu expect the administration to guarantee their safety and security.

–IANS

aal/uk