Chennai, Senior DMK leader T K S Elangovan on Wednesday criticised the state government over its handling of the heavy rains in Chennai, claiming that more than 70 per cent of the city’s stormwater drainage work was already completed during the party’s previous tenure.
Elangovan alleged that the current administration failed to take sufficient pre-emptive steps despite clear weather warnings linked to the El Nino phenomenon While acknowledging that water stagnation is now restricted to fewer areas compared to previous instances of widespread flooding.
“During the DMK period itself we made many plans to remove water logging. Highlighting the administration’s alleged lack of readiness, the DMK leader pointed out that experts had forecast heavy downpours. This government was not prepared for that,” he noted. Elangovan also took a sharp swipe at the state leadership, criticising Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for inspecting the rain-hit areas only after the showers had stopped and the inundation had cleared. “Private players work only for money, not for the improvement of services. This government has no respect for women, no regard for women.”
More than 70 per cent of the work was over,” Elangovan told PTI Videos, questioning whether the current government had allocated funds and taken steps to complete the remaining portions of the project after coming to power. “Because of El Nino and other things, they have said that heavy rains are expected this year. Because she was insulted, condemning the state government’s inaction, he said, “She had to file a petition.
“After the rain was over and water went out, the chief minister visited the areas,” he remarked. Public sector undertakings will support and extend services to the common people,” he said, criticising the move as being driven by a “capitalist mindset.
