At poll campaign opener, EPS says Stalin active only during elections

“During the recent cyclones, Stalin accused state government of not carrying out works to clear the stagnated water, but Stalin who served as Chennai Mayor for five years and minister for local bodies for five years had not implemented any scheme for preventing water stagnation in Chennai corporation. Only when election is round the corner, Stalin will tour Chennai and will accuse the state government,” said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who also asked the residents of Chennai not to believe the words of Stalin. 

The AIADMK commenced its political campaign in a grand manner by holding its first public meeting at YMCA grounds in Chennai. Party cadre in thousands apart from functionaries, Ministers, Chief Minister and AIADMK Convenor O Panneerselvam participated in the meeting. 

AIADMK is the first party to officially announce incumbent Chief Minister Palaniswami as the chief minister candidate for the upcoming Assembly election, though their alliance partners, including the BJP did not approve it. 

Notwithstanding, the party officially commenced its political campaign as most of the leaders, who addressed in the public meeting criticised the DMK. Chief Minister said that Stalin, before the previous Lok Sabha elections, organised grama sabha meetings and obtained petitions from people, but there is no information about the status of the petitions received. 

“When Stalin received those petitions AIADMK was in power and what happened to the petitions. Were the petitions handed over to the state government or were they sent to dustbins. DMK in the name of fake promises won Lok Sabha elections, but cannot do the same in Assembly polls,” said the Chief Minister. 

AIADMK Convenor and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam questioned DMK whether they have intimated any long-term plan for the state. “DMK was part of the Union government for long, but they did not bring any useful scheme for the people of Tamil Nadu. But, AIADMK without being part of the Union government is still able to bring several long-term schemes for the state. I would like to clarify that only because of the support rendered by the Union government AIADMK is in good terms with the Centre,” said Panneerselvam. He also said that DMK despite being part of Union government for 16 years did not solve any livelihood issue of Tamil Nadu, including the Cauvery water issue.