Putting at rest the criticism by opposition parties about the handling of rescue operations in rain-ravaged districts of the State, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapadi K Palanisamy today said that with the assistance of the Centre operations have already begun to search and rescue the fishermen missing in the high seas.

Five Aero planes, four helicopters and 15 coast guard ships are on the job to locate and rescue the missing fishermen, as he spoke to Prime Minister and Home Minister, who have promised all help to rescue them, Palanisamy said.

“All fishermen trapped in seas following the cyclone will be rescued safely by this Government,” Palanisamy said while addressing the MGR Centenary Celebrations here this evening.

Accusing the opposition DMK leader, M K Stalin of deliberately spreading lies on the rescue operations, Chief Minister said that all out
efforts were being taken on war footing.

Deputy Chief Minister, O Paneerselvam was leading a team of ministers to take stock of the damages caused by Okchi cyclone and will also monitor necessary rescue operations, he said.

On getting two leaves symbol, he said that “if we stand united as a party, then not just RK Nagar polls, but we can win all elections in Tamil Nadu.”

Amma’s (former chief minister, Jayalalithaa) soul have already punished T T V Dinakaran, by the EC verdict and the people of RK Nagar will also punish him in the by poll, he said.

Referring to DMK, Palanisamy alleged that people in the State will never favour family politics, “Anyone from their family can enter politics, be it son, grandson and even great grandson, but their greed will never get fulfilled,” he alleged.

Reiterating that the death of a soft engineer Raghupathy was not due to the barricade of an arch but due to lorry, Palanisamy said that Stalin was criticising about erecting cutouts and banners.

To prove his point how banners and cutouts were erected during Tamil Semmozhi Conference during DMK period in the city, chief minister
screened a few shot on a digital screen.

“When we erect they can not digest, but we have to tolerate, when they are doing,” he quipped.