Tamil Nadu polls: Why is M K Stalin scared every time I visit Delhi, asks Edappadi K Palaniswami

CHENNAI: Reiterating that AIADMK is heading the National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu, party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday said chief minister M K Stalin was attempting to project the Assembly election as a "Tamil Nadu vs Delhi" contest.

"I am saying this again once and for all. AIADMK is heading the alliance here," he said while addressing a gathering in R K Nagar.

Palaniswami took a swipe at Stalin, demanding to know why the DMK leader appeared "scared" whenever he visited Delhi. "What is wrong in visiting Delhi? Perhaps he is worried because of corruption they have indulged in," he said.

He added that the response from DMK ministers to his campaign in Mylapore a few days ago indicated the party's fear of being unseated in the April 23 election.

Without taking the names of former AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam and others, who recently joined DMK, Palaniswami said there were attempts to destabilise AIADMK govt after J Jayalalithaa's demise. He said the AIADMK govt under his leadership withstood the challenges and added that those who left the party had now joined the opposition camp. Referring to R K Nagar, he said the constituency was represented by Jayalalithaa and had got several development projects. He promised more projects for the region if AIADMK assumed office again.

Campaigning in Tiruvottiyur for party candidate K Kuppan, Palaniswami accused DMK of promoting dynasty politics and alleged that law and order had deteriorated under the present dispensation. He alleged that DMK won the previous election with "false promises", but "voters were now ready to oust the govt". He promised stern action against drug peddlers and to curb the free flow of narcotics if AIADMK returned to office.