Chennai: A two-year-old video of Tamil Nadu Human Resources Management Minister D Sarath Kumar from an Indian Premier League (IPL) match has sparked a political controversy after it resurfaced on social media. Critics alleged that the minister was handling narcotics. Sarath Kumar has strongly denied the allegations. He claimed that the substance seen in the video was not drugs. It was rather medicine for his child, he claimed.
The viral clip shows the minister using an ATM card to crush a white powder-like substance on his phone. The footage led to widespread speculation online, with many users demanding his resignation.
Responding to the controversy, the minister released a two-minute video statement with his wife and kid. He said the footage was recorded about two years ago when he attended an IPL match at Chennai’s M A Chidambaram Stadium.
The minister explained that his daughter was unwell and unable to swallow a tablet. According to him, his wife asked him to crush the medicine so it could be mixed with water and administered to the child.
“This morning I attended an anti-drug campaign event. Since then, a false narrative using an old video of mine is being spread, claiming that I was doing drugs,” he added.
Speaking on this development, BJP leader from the state, Narayanan Thirupathy, told News Arena India: “Though TN Minister Sarathkumar has clarified about his drug allegation video, police should investigate and tell the truth.”
