Jaffer Sadiq case | Edappadi Palaniswami submits representation to T.N. Governor, seeks independent inquiry

AIADMK leader seeks independent enquiry into drug trafficking issue, alleging political links with ruling party in Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday, March 10, 2024 met Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and presented a representation flagging the issue of drug trafficking in the State and sought for an independent enquiry into the political links of Jaffer Sadiq, who has been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau and identified as the kingpin of an international drug cartel.

The accused was expelled from the DMK in which he was an office bearer of the party’s NRI wing Chennai West district unit.

“We call upon you, as the Constitutional Head of the State, to take all steps that is possible including but not limited to taking necessary steps to address the complete breakdown of the Constitutional machinery in the state,” the AIADMK representation said.

As the principal opposition party, AIADMK has been making several representations on the issue, it said.

“We have been informing you as to how bad the drug trafficking is in the State and how the drug abuse has led to serious deterioration of law and order situation in the State,” it said. The party alleged that the lethargy and negligence with which the issue has been handled by the state government stems from the fact that the important functionaries of the ruling party are directly connected with the issue.

If only necessary attention had been paid by the ruling State government, these issues would have been well addressed and the present crisis would have been averted, the representation alleged.

“The DMK may today claim that they have suspended Jaffer Sadiq from the party, but the fact remains that he has used his association with the DMK party, its leaders and the family of the Chief Minister to administer an international drug cartel out of Chennai,” the AIADMK claimed.