Manamadurai (Tamil Nadu), April 2 Kanimozhi, a leader of the DMK, criticized the AIADMK for its alliance with the BJP on Thursday, stating that its leader, Edappadi K Palaniswami, would face a similar fate to that of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, and that the party should "at least" be in the opposition.
Addressing a public meeting here for the April 23 elections, Kanimozhi argued that the election was not just about the Assembly, but a battle between "Keeladi and Nagpur," the headquarters of the RSS.
She referred to the archaeological excavations in Keeladi, a district in Tamil Nadu, and claimed that the findings proved the historical significance of Tamil, which the BJP "does not want to accept."
She stated that Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin had asked the Centre to accept the report on the findings, which it has not done.
"The Centre (led by the BJP) hasn't accepted it because that would reveal the importance of Tamils and the Tamil race to the world. The BJP cannot accept this; a government that keeps imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu gives only a small allocation for Tamil compared to Sanskrit," she said.
She strongly criticized the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP.
"As a Tamil, Palaniswami should have said that the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should accept the research report. Palaniswami thinks he will be made to sit in the (CM) seat. Just think about what happened to Nitish Kumar. Someone who should have been CM is sitting in the Rajya Sabha," she said, referring to Kumar's decision to step down as Bihar CM and move to the Upper House of Parliament.
Further, she mocked Palaniswami's claims. "If you have a favorite place (state), let Amit Shah know about it. He will only send you as governor there," she said.
She further stated that it is "well-known" what has happened to the other allies of the BJP.
"I am concerned, Tamil Nadu needs an opposition party, no? We believe in democracy; you (AIADMK) should at least be in opposition, and I am saying this out of concern. Please take care," the Lok Sabha MP said.
The victory of the ruling DMK and CM Stalin is "assured". The upcoming fight was not merely confined to the elections, Kanimozhi said.
"Beyond the elections, there is going to be a battle; that of Keeladi vs Nagpur, which is the headquarters of RSS. It is a Nagpur vs Tamil battle," she said.
Exuding confidence of the ruling party-led bloc's win in the election, she said, "Our win is for all the people of India."
"It will give hope to every Indian that they can also defeat the divisive forces and those who are against the country's development."
Further, she reiterated Stalin's promise of "Muthalvar Padaippagam," which is one of the DMK's poll promises.
She also mentioned the DMK's poll promise of "Muthalvar Padaippagam," which includes 24-hour wi-fi facility for youth who want to work, but don't have a place to do so, besides books.
"Who has given these assurances – Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin. They are implementable," she added.
Later, addressing a similar meet at Madurai for her party's Tirupparankundram candidate, Kiruthika Thangapandi, she said the town reminds of the attempts to "create a riot" by the BJP and AIADMK recently. She was referring to the deepam lighting row at the Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple.
"In Tamil Nadu, people of all faiths live as brothers and sisters. Here there are different religions, but no hatred or vendetta based on religion. TN people are keen only about development; focus on national development, women's development, importance to self respect. But the BJP has repeatedly created communal violence to come to power (and) tried the same game in Tirupparankundram. But people here gave a fitting lesson saying this is Tamil Nadu, there is no place for you," she added.
Responding to Palaniswami's poser asking why the DMK, which was criticizing his party's alliance with the BJP, joined hands with the saffron party in the past, she said the ties were determined based on a Common Minimum Programme (CMP). This ensured the minorities did not suffer, she claimed.
Hitting back at the AIADMK chief, she wondered if he opposed the CAA, Waqf Board related amendments, the now withdrawn farm laws, and other issues related to the current BJP dispensation.
The DMK was fighting the April 23 polls on its five-year performance, she said, while referring to the various development initiatives undertaken in and around Tirupparankundram.
Meanwhile, canvassing votes for her party's Madurai South candidate, she said people of the state were not ready to vote for AIADMK and pick DMK which will secure their future.
Despite the Centre "not giving" TN its funds, the DMK govt has ensured top growth for the state.
Ridiculing Palaniswami's charge that the DMK copied his party's manifesto, she said that even if copying is ok, "you copy from a performing student."
"You (AIADMK) have no chance of passing, so why should we copy from you. You are not going to come to power to implement the promises," she said.
She accused the AIADMK of "copying" from her party by borrowing from late DMK chief M Karunanidhi's words.
"We have no need to copy. You promised Rs 10,000 (one time assistance) after our CM had Rs 5,000 (monthly assistance given in advance)," she said.
