BJP's allegation in Coimbatore car blast case, said - Tamil Nadu CM was given wrong information about the blast

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu unit president K. Annamalai asked Governor R. N. Ravi reiterated on Saturday that the car blast in Coimbatore on the eve of Diwali was an attempt to carry out a major terrorist attack. He claimed that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was given wrong information about the incident. Annamalai asked whether any effort was being made to investigate the culprits. He alleged that there is enough evidence to point to a terror attack and little action was taken despite the Center issuing an alert on October 18. "The hands of some honest police officers are tied while in Coimbatore a senior police officer has not even visited the spot," Annamalai alleged at a press conference here.

Describing the blast as an attempt to carry out a major terrorist attack, the governor had said in Coimbatore on October 28 that the explosives and IED-making chemicals found later showed that the attackers had planned a series of attacks.

Annamalai said that he is ready to disclose the information in this regard if called."I will also disclose the names of the officials who shared the information with me and then I will make the information public. Many people are likely to be baffled when the truth comes out." He claimed that wrong information was being given to Stalin.

"The Center had issued a special alert on October 18. Why did the officers sleep on it for four days? Why is there an attempt to downplay the terrorist attack as a mere cylinder blast? On Friday, State Electricity and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji had said that the NIA should probe Annamalai so that the details could be revealed before releasing the police statement. The minister also claimed that the police identified the deceased within 12 hours of the blast and arrested five people in 24 hours.

The matter was transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following the recommendation of the Chief Minister. On October 27, the Union Home Ministry had directed the NIA to investigate the incident.Annamalai said he is ready to provide information provided the chief minister initiates action against the wrongdoers and submits a white paper on the delay in not responding to the alert.