Annamalai steps up attack on Vijay over London trip, temple consecration

MADURAI: We The Leaders founder K Annamalai stepped up his attack on chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday, targeting his London investment trip and TVK govt’s handling of the Meenakshi Amman temple consecration. He alleged there was poor planning, black-market sale of passes and preferential treatment for VIPs during the ceremony, held after 17 years.Speaking after a river clean-up drive at Madurai, Annamalai said that entry passes were sold “similar to cinema tickets in the black market,” while many ordinary devotees struggled to get the passes meant to be issued free of cost.“The activities of the HR&CE department are discouraging people from coming to temples. Kumbhabhishekam at Meenakshi Amman temple is an example of that kind of functioning,” he said.Annamalai said the HR&CE department would not continue if We The Leaders came to power. He also alleged that the assembly has transformed into a place where everyone, from a TVK MLA to speaker, exhibit their religious identities, instead of a forum for discussing public issues.On the CM’s overseas visit, Annamalai said Vijay need not travel to the UK seeking investments when its economy was growing at around 1%.“UK’s economy has shrunk smaller than India’s economy. In fact, Indian companies such as Tata and Mahindra are investing in the UK,’’ he said, adding that the CM should instead meet manufacturers in Madurai, Coimbatore and other industrial centres, offer incentives and help them expand within the state.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in MaduraiStay updated with the latest Madurai news. Download the TOI App.