NEW DELHI: Edappadi K. Palaniswami, General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Leader of the Opposition, on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, challenging it to take legal action over his remarks on the controversial A. Raja audio clip.
Speaking at a large campaign rally in Vazhapadi as part of the ‘Makkalai Kaappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom’ tour ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections, Palaniswami asserted that he was unfazed by threats of legal action. “I have faced many cases. Go ahead and file one,” he said, responding to reports that the DMK was considering legal proceedings against him. Referring to the viral audio clip, he maintained that he had only echoed information already circulating in the public domain. Questioning the response, he asked why no action was taken against the original source of the allegations, adding that the contents of the clip could well be true.
Drawing comparisons with past controversies, he noted that Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had previously raised doubts about the circumstances surrounding the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. “I follow the same principle—whether it is Karunanidhi or anyone else, the truth must come out,” he said.
Emphasising the AIADMK’s strength in Salem district, Palaniswami described it as a “steel fortress” for the party. He pointed out that the party had won 10 out of 11 seats in the region in 2021, asserting that Yercaud remains a stronghold. Urging voters to back NDA candidate Usharani, he said party workers would campaign even more vigorously for alliance partners, adding that the AIADMK-led NDA, though smaller, was stronger in substance than the DMK alliance.
On law and order, Palaniswami accused the DMK government of failing to curb drug-related activities, alleging that ganja was easily accessible and that drug peddlers had grown bold enough to even attack police personnel. He claimed the situation worsened within a year of the DMK assuming power and alleged that offenders, particularly those operating near schools, were shielded due to political connections. He promised that an AIADMK government would eliminate the menace within three months.
On the economic front, he criticised the DMK for burdening citizens with higher electricity tariffs, increased property taxes, and new levies such as garbage tax, while claiming that the state’s debt had crossed ₹5 lakh crore. Contrasting this with his tenure, he highlighted his government’s handling of crises like droughts, cyclones, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and pointed to welfare initiatives such as free rations, financial aid, and Amma Canteens, along with a pledge to revive the Kudimaamattu scheme to boost agriculture.
Reiterating his focus on welfare and farmers, Palaniswami outlined a broad set of promises, including farm loan waivers, free crop insurance, and uninterrupted three-phase power supply for agriculture. He also proposed financial support measures such as ₹10,000 assistance for households and a ₹2,000 monthly stipend for women heads of families. Additional promises included free refrigerators for ration card holders, subsidies for two-wheelers for women, free LPG cylinders, festival assistance, free bus travel for men, and financial relief measures for street vendors. He also announced support for traditional practices, promising government funding for Jallikattu events, compensation for families of victims, and insurance coverage for participants.
In a pointed political attack, Palaniswami accused the DMK of promoting dynastic politics, questioning why campaign efforts were largely led by members of the Stalin family, including Udhayanidhi Stalin and Kanimozhi. Stressing that leadership in the AIADMK is based on merit, he concluded with an appeal to voters to “save the people” and “reclaim Tamil Nadu.” With the elections nearing, his remarks underscore the intensifying political contest between the AIADMK and the DMK in the state.
