DMK forces rival AIADMK to target BJP in charged up political atmosphere in poll bound TN
Chennai (PTI): AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's soft approach towards the BJP seems to have given the edge to DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin in making it a poll issue. Stalin's double barreled gun aims shots at both the AIADMK and the BJP, often provoking Palaniswami to become a vocal critic of the BJP.
The narratives set by these two parties have narrowed down the poll battle between them and almost eclipsed the election campaign of other players such as the Congress, the left parties, Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi, though BJP state chief K Annamalai fires sharp barbs at the DMK.
Palaniswami's argument that the need to criticise the BJP doesn't arise as the AIADMK parted ways with the saffron party does not hold water with the ruling dispensation. Faced by constant criticism, Palaniswami, who in the past has not been harsh in criticising his erstwhile colleague and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, is forced to respond.
Nor has he been critical of V K Sasikala, who was expelled from the AIADMK. During the electrifying campaign triggered by a "photo war," Stalin's Minister son Udhayanidhi flashed a viral photograph of Palaniswami seeking Sasikala's blessings. Responding, the AIADMK general secretary said there was nothing wrong in seeking elder's blessings.
"Palaniswami claims he is against the BJP but doen't criticise it. For the sake of remaining in power, he made our students write the NEET, supported the three farm laws, and even claimed that he was prepared to debate on farmers' problems. He sported a green shawl and deceived the ryots," the Chief Minister said during his election campaign.
Likening Palaniswami to an attorney general, the DMK leader said Palaniswami supported the CAA and claimed that no Muslim was affected by it. But this was contrary to truth, Stalin asserted.
Wondering why the DMK failed to question when the BJP, despite being in alliance with AIADMK, contested in the civic polls on its own, Palaniswami retorted saying Stalin deserved a Nobel prize for uttering lies on fulfilling his 2021 election promises.
The national parties, be it the Congress or BJP, needed the regional parties only at the time of elections and ignored them after the poll. "That's why the AIADMK did not have an alliance with those parties. We should function independently and stand on our own feet and protect our rights," he said in Chidambaram.
"The DMK leaders displayed their aggression against the Prime Minister by setting up epic narratives against the BJP but ended up surrendering absolutely when they meet Modi," Palaniswami said flaying Stalin and Udhayanidhi.
As both the Dravidian majors are making the April 19 Lok Sabha election a straight contest between them, the Vanniyar dominated Pattali Makkal Katchi drew flak from the DMK and AIADMK for forging an opportunistic alliance with the BJP.
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Vijayanagara: One dead, 12 injured as trucks hits their vehicle from behind on NH 50
Vijayanagara: One man was killed and 12 others were injured after a truck hit vehicle they were traveling in on the National Highway 50 stretch on the outskirts of Koodligi in the district.
The accident victim, Madhu (27), is learned to have been an employee of Reliance Digital from Andhra Pradesh.
The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Bengaluru to Koodligi and the passengers are learned to have been seriously injured following the collision with the truck, which was found to have a Maharashtra registration.
Koodligi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Mallesh Dodmani and Circle Inspector Prahlad Channagiri arrived at the accident spot on being informed of the accident.
The police officers and locals rescued the injured passengers and got them shifted to the Koodligi Government Hospital. Some of the passengers were reportedly taken to the Ballari Trauma Care Centre for further treatment.
A case has been registered at the Koodligi Police Station and the officers are investigating the incident.
