DMK slams EPS over ‘death’ remark

Trichy: Senior DMK leaders, including ministers Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and K N Nehru, on Thursday condemned AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami for his remark suggesting that "chief minister M K Stalin would have died during the COVID-19 pandemic" if not for the AIADMK government.Addressing a campaign rally, Anbil Mahesh accused EPS of lowering political discourse. "It is deeply regrettable that civility is eroding in politics. Is it acceptable to say anything out of fear of electoral defeat?" he asked, calling the remark "cheap politics" driven by a "lust for power". He said while the opposition has a duty to highlight governance lapses, personal attacks and "cursing" opponents were unacceptable. "Instead of engaging in healthy debate, such rhetoric only exposes desperation," he added. The minister also criticised the AIADMK's record on issues such as NEET and language policy, questioning whether EPS had effectively represented Tamil Nadu's concerns before the Union government. Taking a swipe at the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP, he said EPS should "show his valour" to the Centre rather than target leaders within the state. Meanwhile, K N Nehru, who was also campaigning in the region, described EPS as a "loose cannon", accusing him of making provocative statements without regard for political decorum. The remarks come amid an intensifying war of words between EPS and DMK leaders, including Stalin and deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.