CHENNAI: A day after chief minister C Joseph Vijay made a gesture mocking his predecessor M K Stalin’s electoral defeat, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Wednesday said it was “unbecoming” of the CM post and appealed to Vijay to uphold and safeguard the tradition of the Tamil Nadu assembly and the dignity of the CM post. Referring to the parables and his sarcastic remarks, targeting leader of the opposition and DMK chief Stalin, the VCK leader said such comments should be avoided even on party platforms. They were completely out of place in the legislative assembly, Thirumavalavan said in a social media post. He urged Vijay to preserve the traditions and decorum of the House in future.The VCK chief questioned the govt’s decision to launch Thaimaman Thanga Mothira Thittam scheme, providing one gram gold rings to newborns delivered in govt hospitals at an annual cost of Rs 755 crore to fulfil a TVK poll promise.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan He said the allocation would be better spent on upgrading maternity wards in govt hospitals with modern facilities and adequate medical staff. Pointing out that 56% of deliveries take place in govt hospitals and 44% in private hospitals, he said, “Many poor families continue to prefer private hospitals despite spending Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh because of concerns over the quality of care. Strengthening public healthcare will benefit all sections of society.”He opposed the govt’s decision to privatise sanitation work in all municipal corporations. He recalled a similar move during the previous DMK regime in a few Chennai corporation zones and said it was withdrawn following opposition from the VCK and other parties. Adopting such a practice and extending across the state would go against the welfare of sanitation workers, who risk their lives every day, he said, urging the govt to immediately withdraw the proposal.
