In a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central government, AIADMK general secretary and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday accused the saffron party of resorting to double standards on issues concerning the State’s fishermen whose livelihood has been affected due to the frequent arrests and seizure of their boats by the Sri Lankan Navy across the Palk Strait.
Hitting the mayoral by-poll campaign trail in Thoothukudi, where she has fielded Anthony Gracy, Jayalalithaa on Sunday said the BJP did not have a clear stand on the fishermen issue.
In an indirect reference to maverick Subramanian Swamy, she said a senior BJP leader in the State has been claiming that the boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen were being seized by the Lankan Navy only on his commands.
“The State BJP has not condemned him (Swamy) for his comments. Even the Central government has not issued any clear statement countering his claim,” she said.
Recalling that she has been consistently writing letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure the release of arrested fishermen in Sri Lanka, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said it was because of her constant persuasion that the island nation had released the fishermen, the Indian Express reported.
