Chennai, June 24 (FN Bureau) Union Finance Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday demandeda CBI probe into the Kallakurichi liquor tragedy incident, that has claimed more than 50 lives,and questioned the silence of Congress-led INDIA alliance, including its leader Rahul Gandhi, in which the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu was a key partner. It was a tragic incident, she said, alleging there could be involvement of party members of theruling DMK, which is ruling the State. Though several liquor shops are in the State illicit liquor is freely flowing in the State and soughtto know why none of the INDIA leaders, who were in alliance with the DMK, are not speakingabout it. Asserting that truth will not come out by the State-initiated CB-CID probe, she demanded a thorough CBI probe into the incident, as several innocent people, including dalits have died in the tragedy.
Talking to a channel, she lambasted INDIA bloc over the liquor tragedy and targetted Congressand Rahul Gandhi’s silence on the incident. “More than 200 people are still in hospital in a critical stage. 56 people have died and most ofthem are from the scheduled caste… I condemn the incident”, she added.“I am shocked that the Congress has not uttered a word against this”, she added. “In a state where licensed liquor is available from shops run by the government called ‘Tasmac’. Despite that, in the middle of the city of Kallakurchi chemical-based illicit liquor is served…Whereis the Congress party, President Mallikarjun Kharge?.. Where is Rahul Gandhi? Does they don’tcare about the people and schedule cast of Tamil Nadu?..When Dalits are dying because of spurious liquor, not a statement comes from Rahul Gandhi… Idemand that this whole matter be given to the CBI for investigation,” she added.