Chennai, 19 December (H.S.) : BJP leader K Annamalai has strongly criticized the DMK government following the late night arrest of over 1,500 nurses who were protesting for permanent employment in Chennai.
In a statement released on Friday, Annamalai described the government’s approach as anarchic after the protesting nurses were reportedly moved from Sivananda Salai to the Koyambedu bus terminus at midnight, where they continued their demonstration until the early hours of 4 am.
He alleged that the administration is using suppressive tactics instead of addressing the legitimate grievances of the healthcare workers who served at the forefront during the pandemic.
According to authorities within the BJP, the DMK has failed to fulfill its election manifesto promise number 356, which assured that contract doctors and nurses would be made permanent.
Annamalai pointed out on x ( https://x.com/annamalai_k/status/2001887448822092149) that as the fifth year of the current government’s tenure approaches its end, no significant action has been taken to honor this commitment.
He expressed disappointment that the Health Minister reportedly refused the basic courtesy of meeting the protesters at the Secretariat to hear their demands.
The opposition leader noted that these nurses risked their lives during the Corona crisis and deserve better than being ignored by the state machinery.
The BJP state unit reaffirmed its support for the 2,472 contract nurses whose services were previously terminated and insisted that all current contract staff across Tamil Nadu be regularized immediately.
Annamalai stated that the nurses are merely asking for the fulfillment of a promise that helped the DMK come to power. He warned that the government’s indifference toward the healthcare sector is a disservice to the public welfare.
The party authorities concluded by demanding that the DMK government stop the high handed treatment of peaceful protesters and take immediate steps to provide job security to the nursing community.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
