‘MK allotted land for expansion of copper unit in Tuticorin’

Chennai: Seeking to turn the tables on arch-rival DMK over the Sterlite issue, the ruling AIADMK on Thursday claimed that the main opposition party had allotted land for the expansion of the copper plant in Tuticorin district when it was in power during 2006-11.

Underlining his government's commitment to ensure the permanent closure of the copper unit in that district, Chief Minister K Palaniswami listed out the efforts made for it, including the 2013 action taken by J Jayalalithaa as then chief minister of Tamil Nadu. 

He said DMK working president MK Stalin had allotted 230 acres of land for Sterlite expansion when he was holding the industries portfolio as deputy chief minister earlier. 

Recalling excerpts from a speech made by Stalin in May 2010, Palaniswami said that the former had then stated, "Sterlite Industries located in Tuticorin has undertaken expansion at an investment of Rs 1500 crore." 

"He (Stalin) mentioned about the investment on expansion (of Sterlite) while being the industries minister. 

Not only that, he had also allotted 230 acres of land for the plant's expansion," he claimed. "That being the case, who is the one who supported the plant," he asked. 

Palaniswami's statement in the Tamil Nadu Assembly came after the opposition Congress, a DMK ally, called for a unanimous resolution for the closure of Sterlite and involving the DMK in the exercise. 

The DMK, which is boycotting the ongoing Assembly session over the Sterlite issue, has been critical of the government over a protest by locals against the plant on May 22 in Tuticorin which turned violent, resulting in the death of 13 people. 

Palaniswami said he was presenting the facts on the issue and that "this government has brought to light who worked in support of Sterlite Industries," adding that people were also aware of this information.