EPS cites Shah, dismisses delimitation concerns, hits out at Stalin

Trichy/Dindigul: A day after chief minister M K Stalin questioned his silence on delimitation, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday said the exercise would not affect Tamil Nadu, citing Union home minister Amit Shah's assurance.On Sunday, Stalin alleged that the BJP government was attempting to penalise southern states like Tamil Nadu by reducing their Lok Sabha representation through delimitation. He also questioned whether Palaniswami had the courage to oppose the BJP, accusing him of remaining silent on Union government actions. Responding during a campaign in Dindigul, Palaniswami said Amit Shah had already clarified that delimitation would not impact Tamil Nadu. "Despite this, Stalin is raising the issue only to criticise the Union government. He is making such claims out of fear of defeat," he said. On language policy, Palaniswami accused the DMK of double standards. "During the Congress rule, many sacrificed their lives in anti-Hindi protests. Now the DMK is allied with the Congress. While Stalin's family runs a CBSE school, he questions us on language policy," he said, adding that the DMK could not "deceive the people". He also disputed Stalin's claims of double-digit growth in the State's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). "Industrial growth is due to MoUs signed during the AIADMK regime. Stalin is falsely claiming credit," he said. Palaniswami said job creation does not occur immediately after MoUs are signed. "It takes years of processes after signing MoUs for employment to be generated," he said. Criticising agricultural performance, he said growth had declined under the DMK. "Agriculture growth fell from 5.5% during the AIADMK tenure to 3.5% under the DMK. Such a vital sector has weakened," he said. Responding to allegations of using derogatory language, Palaniswami said the DMK had failed to act against its own leaders. "They mocked leaders like MGR and Amma. We will respond in the same manner they speak," he said, referring to remarks by a DMK Rajya Sabha MP against K Kamaraj. He also targeted the DMK over an illegal kidney extraction racket allegedly linked to a party functionary, promising a thorough probe if the AIADMK returns to power. "Strong action will be taken against all involved," he said. Palaniswami further criticised remarks by an MLA about buying a luxury car with money earned through kidneys. "How arrogant and shameless. See how this MLA insults people with his arrogance of wealth," he said, adding that action would be taken against those involved in corruption. While condoling the death of YouTube journalist Savukku Sankar's mother, Palaniswami alleged that the DMK government's action against Sankar had caused distress to his family. MSID:: 130242911 413 |