Chennai, March 26 The ruling DMK on Thursday criticised AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami over his comments on its alliance partners, calling them "unnecessary."
Senior party leader and Transport Minister S S Sivasankar also criticised the AIADMK, stating that the party's future would be similar to that of JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar in Bihar, as well as the Shiv Sena and NCP in Maharashtra, and the regional parties in Goa, which were "absorbed" by the BJP while in an alliance with them.
Ridiculing Palaniswami for criticising Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a key ally of the DMK, Sivasankar said, "VCK is a party that has grown step-by-step by facing challenges in the electoral field."
"Its leader, Thol Thirumavalavan, proves his victory in elections every time and is recognised by our leader today."
"Palaniswami is criticising this alliance, which has such a good relationship. In this alliance, Palaniswami has not only given more seats to BJP than last time, but a situation has arisen where many parties are contesting under the BJP's symbol, which is the Lotus," he told reporters.
Besides BJP, the Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), Thamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi (IJK), and Pudhiya Neethi Katchi were contesting under the BJP's Lotus symbol, Sivasankar said.
"Palaniswami has given a very large space in Tamil Nadu to the Lotus, which secured a position below NOTA in the previous election," he said.