New Delhi:
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMk) president MK Stalin has demanded for the resignation of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu O Panneerselvam regarding the military air-ambulance provided to Panneerselvam’s brother who was extremely ill few days back.
“O Panneerselvam had said that he was in New Delhi to express his heartfelt thanks to the Defence Minister for having provided an air ambulance facility when his brother was not well. It is a mystery that how can a military helicopter facility be provided to an individual. Hence O Panneerselvam who enjoyed the facility and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who permitted the facility for the use of a private individual must resign from their posts,†Stalin told the media on Wednesday.
However, many Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders took to twitter saying that the air ambulance was paid by O Panneerselvam.
On Tuesday, O Panneerselvam wanted to thank the defence minister for her gesture and waited at her office expecting a quick meeting with her, but it was revealed that Nirmala Sitharaman did not meet O Panneerselvam and she only met V Maitreyan, ADMK MP.
“Appointment was given to Shri V. Maitreyan, MP Rajya Sabha. Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu, Shri O. Panneerselvam has not met Smt @nsitharaman.†tweeted the office of defence minister to confirm the news.
Appointment was given to Shri V. Maitreyan, MP Rajya Sabha.
— NSitharamanOffice (@nsitharamanoffc) July 24, 2018
Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu, Shri O. Panneerselvam has not met Smt @nsitharaman @OfficeOfOPS @maitreyan1955 @ThanthiTV
However, the usage of air-ambulance by a private person has led to many raised eyebrows and people are now asking about the legality of the incident.
“@CMOTamilNadu  sd, “ @OfficeOfOPS has gone to thank the Defence Minister for providing air ambulance to bring his brother for emergency medical treatment recently.†is it LEGAL @nsitharaman even if it's humane,† V Narayanan, a spokesperson of the Indian National Congress tweeted about the issue on Wednesday.
@CMOTamilNadu sd, “ @OfficeOfOPS has gone to thank the Defence Minister for providing air ambulance to bring his brother for emergency medical treatment recently.â€Â is it LEGAL @nsitharaman even if it's humane
— V Narayanan Kalyani -Americai (@americai) July 25, 2018
pic.twitter.com/rFa015LLnhhttps://t.co/VRa2YM6HyW
