Kamal Haasan says his party is not BJP's "B Team"
Tirunelveli (TN), Feb 24: Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan Sunday denied that his outfit was the Bharatiya Janata Party's "B team" and asserted that the party was being targeted as they were growing in stature.
Addressing a party rally here late tonight, Haasan, without directly naming any outfit, said he was being targeted as his party was growing in stature.
One of the attacks was calling his party "the BJP's B team," he said.
Refuting it, he said,"I am not a B team for anyone, this is Tamil Nadu's A team."
Days ago, the DMK organ 'Murasoli," had alleged that he was accusing it of corruption due to "BJP's pressure."
Attacking the grand alliance of the opposition parties, Haasan said the so called "mahaghatbandhan" would jump on to the winning side after the Lok Sabha poll outcome if the opposite camp won.
During such times, only his party would stand upright -without giving room for horse trading- for the Tamil Nadu people, he said.
His party's voice will be heard in such a situation, he said, adding "we cannot say what is going to happen," an apparent reference to the Lok Sabha poll outcome.
During such times, a voice should be heard saying that at least the Prime Minister should be changed, Hassan said.
"Let us see if there is humility if another person takes over," he alleged in an attack perceived to be aimed at the BJP.
He said he was not facing the Lok Sabha election alone and pointed to the huge crowd and sought donations from them to face the polls.
"It will be an investment for the future," he said.
Describing himself as a fan of Mahatma Gandhi, he said the Father of the Nation was his mentor and because of him he founded the party.
On a sword being gifted to him, he said it was an old practise, adding only "ahimsa is a big valour."
Outlining his party's principles, he said: "People's welfare alone is MNM's ideology."
Redeeming the lost political dignity and ethos of the Tamil people, upholding secularism, poverty alleviation and ensuring education of international standards are among the party ideals, he said.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
