Kalaignar Library not on Pennycuick’s house site: Stalin
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday said that a false campaign is being carried out against the proposed library in memory of former CM M Karunanidhi at Madurai.
“There is a false campaign on that the house of Pennycuick in Madurai is demolished to build the memorial library in that place. A detailed reply was given outside the Assembly by PWD Minister EV Velu that the library will not be constructed by demolishing the house of Pennicuick. If proof is provided that the place chosen for constructing the library is the bungalow where Pennycuick lived, the state government will change the site,” said Stalin, in the Assembly.
The issue of construction of a memorial library for Karunanidhi was raised by former minister for Cooperation Sellur K Raju who said that there were talks that the house in which Pennycuick resided on Natham Road in Madurai would be demolished and the memorial library would be constructed on that site.
Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan intervened and clarified that Pennycuick died in 1911, but the PWD quarters, which they claim to be the bungalow of Pennycuick was constructed between 1912 and 1915. So, there is no truth in Sellur Raju’s claims that Pennycuick resided there.
Sellur Raju replied that he did not criticise the state but only cited only the talk doing the rounds among the people. To this, the Chief Minister advised Sellur Raju that being a three-time MLA and former Minister he should speak in Assembly only with proof and not raise issued based on mere hearsay.