All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) has said that Chief Minister MK Stalin and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji are responsible for the recent hooch tragedy and called for their resignation.

He said that the tragedy was caused because they failed to curb the sale of spurious liquor.

When asked about a recent government announcement to close down 500 TASMAC shops, he said that while the government says it would close down 500 shops in some places, it has opened 1000 shops elsewhere.

Further, he said that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government has wanted to promote liquor consumption among people and that is why it brought provisions to allow the supply of liquor at marriage halls and sports stadiums.

While the government rolled back its decision to allow liquor in marriage halls, the provisions allowing liquor in convention centres, sports stadiums etc were stayed by the Madras High Court after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the matter.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the hooch tragedy has risen to 13. Chief Minister Stalin visited the victims in Villupuram to offer his condolences. He had earlier announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of those who lost their lives and Rs 50000 to those undergoing treatment.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Hooch Tragedy: 10 Dead; Several Admitted To Hospitals