AIADMK in a spot after C Ve Shanmugam and Dindigul Sreenivasan’s remarks on women

Chennai: What started as an attempt by AIADMK and its allies to corner the DMK over women's safety on Tuesday spiralled into a political embarrassment for the opposition party after senior leader C Ve Shanmugam's controversial remarks referring to a leading actress.

Leading the protest at Villupuram, Shanmugam, who set out to criticise the DMK govt's ‘Ungal Kanavu Sollunga' (Tell me your dreams) initiative, asked whether chief minister M K Stalin would fulfill all the dreams. "I want to marry the actress, will you fulfil it?" he asked naming the actress. The remark drew laughter from some on the dais and applause from a section of cadres, but soon triggered a backlash from leaders of various political parties including AIADMK's ally BJP.




DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi condemned the comments, saying, "Political civility or basic morality has never been the quality of AIADMK members," and questioned whether the party leadership would act. DMK MP Tamilatchi Thangapandian termed the comments "uncivilised" and devoid of political ethics, while TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai demanded an apology from Shanmugam. BJP functionary Khushbu Sundar called the remark "a shame on humanity," and said actress are not anyone's property to be insulted in public platforms. The South Indian Artistes Association also condemned the remarks and sought an assurance against repetition.

AIADMK's woes mounted when party treasurer Dindigul C Srinivasan too came in for criticisim for his speech during the protest at Dindigul. Referring to free sarees being distributed by DMK, he asked if the party would also give other attire for women. AIADMK functionaries said that the former ministers' remarks `undid' the efforts of the AIADMK front to highlight the alleged failure of DMK govt in protecting women.

EPS SAYS TN'S SPRING TO COME IN MAY. Earlier in the day, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami participated in a protest in Virugambakkam said a pro-people regime would come in May ushering in "Vasantha Kalam" (prosperity) and ensuring safety for women and children. Later, he spoke to the parents of the 17-year-old girl, who was found murdered inside a forest area near Vilathikulam in Tuticorin, over the phone and assured that stern action would be taken against the perpetrators as soon as the AIADMK returned to power.