"Hooch tragedy happened in BJP-ruled states too...": Congress leader K Suresh on Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks

New Delhi [India], June 23 : Following Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks on the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy which claimed 56 lives so far, Congress leader K Suresh said on Sunday that the hooch tragedy happened in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states too, but she "closed her eyes" at those times.
Earlier today, in a conversation with ANI, Sitharaman condemned the hooch tragedy and attacked the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu and its alliance partner, Congress.
"She has made a political statement. Hooch tragedy happened in BJP-ruled states also where more people died than in Tamil Nadu. She closed her eyes at that time. Now she is alleging the Congress party and Tamil Nadu government," Congress leader K Suresh told ANI.
The Union Minister today said that she was "shocked" over the Congress's silence on the incident. She also questioned the DMK government over the availability of illicit liquor in Kallakurichi.
"More than 200 people are still in hospital in a critical stage. 56 people have died and most of them are from the scheduled caste... I condemn the incident. I am shocked that the Congress has not uttered a word against this. In a state where licensed liquor is available from shops run by the government called 'Tasmak'. Despite that, in the middle of the city of Kallakuruchi, chemical-based illicit liquor is served. Doesn't the government know about this?" questioned Sitharaman.
Further, Sitharaman attacked Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and leader Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Where is the Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge? Has he lost sympathy for people living in Tamil Nadu? Where is Rahul Gandhi? He talks about the votes of the South. He contests elections just because he is assured that he will win. When Dalits are dying because of spurious liquor, not a statement comes from Rahul Gandhi or Khargeji.
Nirmala Sitharaman also demanded that the case of the hooch tragedy be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
"I demand that this whole matter be given to the CBI for investigation", she said.
There were a total of 216 patients admitted to four hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor, out of which, 56 have died, as per an official.
Earlier today, the death toll in the Tamil Nadu Hooch tragedy rose to 56, according to the district administration's report.
As per the information shared by the District Collectorate, Kallakurichi, there were a total of 216 patients admitted to four hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor.
In Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer), Puducherry, 17 patients are alive and three have been declared dead, while in Vilupuram Medical College, four people are alive and four have been declared dead.
Most deaths occurred at Kallakurichi Medical College, where 31 people are dead and 108 are alive.
At Salem Medical College, 30 people are alive, whereas 18 have been reported dead.
"There are 160 people who were admitted to the above-mentioned hospitals and 55 people are dead," according to official data.
152 male patients are alive in the incident, whereas 51 are dead.