Auto-rickshaw driver not manhandled for enquiring about fuel price hike: TN BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan

Image Credit: Twitter/Soundararjan

CHENNAI: An auto-rickshaw driver was allegedly pushed and hit by some BJP workers for asking tough questions on the rising fuel prices in Chennai on Monday.

According to reports, auto driver Kathir was pushed by BJP leader V Kalidass and hit after he sought to enquire about the rising fuel price hike when party'sTamil Nadu unit chief Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan was fielding questions from reporters on the sidelines of an event organised in connection with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on Monday.

A video clip purportedly showing the elderly man being shoved aside also went viral on the social media, drawing widespread criticism.

Speaking to ANI later, Kathir said, ''I only tried to vent my grievance. The petrol price hike is hurting drivers like me more. I told her I just wanted to ask a question. I don't know who hurt me, it was dark and after that, the police took me away.''

The auto-rickshaw driver also alleged that the BJP leader talked to media about his drinking habits, which he said was a ''personal problem.''

''I don't want to make an issue out of it. I demand decrease in prices,'' Kathir said.

I told her I just wanted to ask a question.I don't know who hurt me,it was dark & after that police took me away.She told media about my drinking habits.That's a personal problem,she said that in public. I don't want to make an issue out of it. I demand decrease in prices: Kathir pic.twitter.com/bqFH2Ru4Lj — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2018

However, in the wake of intense criticism, Soundararajan paid a visit to the auto-rickshaw driver's residence on Tuesday and enquired about his well-being.

After the visit, Soundararajan told reporters that she called on the driver as a "wrong depiction" was being made out regarding the incident.

She asserted that the man "was not manhandled as is being claimed by some channels. 

A Friendly visit to house of Auto driver kathir today who wanted to speak to me.he himself acknowledged that no one hurted him. Request media friends to ignore false propoganda. pic.twitter.com/vcHEZ27x76 — Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisaiBJP) September 18, 2018

''I did not even see him, but I did answer his question," she had told PTI.

The BJP leader also uploaded a video of her visit to Kathir's residence on Twitter in which she can be seen having a casual interaction with him and offering sweets to his family members.

தெருக்கூத்து நிகழ்ச்சியில் கேள்வி கேட்ட ஆட்டோ ஓட்டுநர் சகோதரர் கதிர் அவர்களின் இல்லத்திற்கு சென்று அவருடன் உரையாடியபோது. pic.twitter.com/CyBge0KUWu — Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisaiBJP) September 18, 2018

Soundararjan, who was accompanied by her aides, also shared a couple of pictures she shot on the occasion.

Soundararjan had claimed on Monday that since the identity of the man was not known and as it was about 12.30 am, he was taken away by the party workers as part of security measures.

Soundararajan's visit to the auto-rickshaw driver's home came weeks after DMK chief MK Stalin visited employees of a restaurant in Chennai after they were allegedly assaulted by some party workers.

In that case, too, a video of the incident had gone viral, with netizens attacking the DMK.