'TN will fall under the hegemony of Delhi': Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin targets EPS visit, AIADMK hits back

Chennai: The Delhi visit of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and his TN allies has triggered a fresh round of verbal battle between the DMK and AIADMK, with chief minister M K Stalin stating that the visits have reinforced his charges that BJP was dictating terms to AIADMK.

Stalin said the visits have reconfirmed that the upcoming election was a battle between TN and Delhi, inviting a swift counter from the AIADMK recalling the visits of DMK leaders to Delhi for meetings with Congress leaders.

In a letter to party cadres on Friday, Stalin questioned the purpose of the Delhi visits of EPS, AMMK general secretary TTV D Hinakaran and PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss. "Are they going to secure funds denied to Tamil Nadu? To get clearance for pending projects? Or to address issues like the LPG shortage? No," he said.

Stalin alleged that AIADMK was `seeking Delhi's approval' for all its decisions. ``TN people are aware of the consequences if such a dispensation comes to power. TN will fall under the hegemony of Delhi," he said.

"Those who bartered their party for personal gain will not hesitate to compromise TN's interests," he said.

Senior minister K N Nehru joined the attack, mocking the AIADMK as "Amit Shah DMK." He questioned why no seat-sharing talks were held at the AIADMK headquarters or at EPS's camp office in Chennai. "If AIADMK leads the alliance, talks should happen at AIADMK HQ. Instead, EPS was being summoned to Delhi, like how the central agencies summon people to Delhi,'' he said.

AIADMK hit back recalling late DMK president M Karunanidhi's 2011 visit to Delhi for a meeting with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister M K Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami extended Ramzan wishes.

Stalin, in his message, said DMK stands firm against the `anti-minority policies' of the BJP-led Union govt. He added that while communal hatred is being sown in other states, often leading to violence, TN continues to remain peaceful because of DMK. The DMK govt, guided by the principle of "everything for everyone", upholds the rights of all.

EPS, in his greetings, said he would pray the Almighty to bless members of the Muslim community with happiness, prosperity, and good health on the auspicious occasion.

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