Manamadurai/Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Apr 2 Kanimozhi, a DMK leader, criticized the AIADMK for its alliance with the BJP on Thursday, stating that its leader, Edappadi K Palaniswami, would face the same fate as 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 polls, Kanimozhi stated that the election was not just about the Assembly, but a battle between "Keeladi and Nagpur, the headquarters of RSS."
She was referring to the Keeladi archaeological excavations in this district and claimed that the findings proved the cultural significance of Tamil, which the "BJP does not want to accept."
She said that Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin had asked the Centre to accept the report of the findings, which it has not done.
"They (the BJP-led Centre) haven't accepted it because that would reveal the significance of Tamils and the Tamil race to the world. The BJP cannot accept this; a government that keeps imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu and gives minimal 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 what happened to Nitish Kumar. Someone who should have been CM is sitting in the Rajya Sabha," she said. Kanimozhi was referring to Kumar's decision to step down as Bihar CM and move to the Upper House of Parliament.
Further criticizing Palaniswami, she said, "If you have a favourite place (state), let Amit Shah know. He will only send you as governor there."
She further stated that it was "well-known" what has happened to the other allies of the BJP.
"I am concerned, Tamil Nadu needs an opposition party, don't we? 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 polls, Kanimozhi said.
"Beyond the polls, there will be a battle; that of Keeladi vs Nagpur, which is the headquarters of RSS. It is a Nagpur vs Tamil battle," she said.
Expressing confidence in the ruling party'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, the ruling DMK's poll promises, including "Muthalvar Padaippagam," have been made by Stalin, and they are achievable, she said.
Assuring a number of development initiatives for the regions, including Tirubuvanam and Ilayankudi in the district, she also referred to the DMK's poll promise of "Muthalvar Padaippagam."
This initiative 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 achievable," 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 question about why the DMK, which was criticizing his party's alliance with the BJP, joined hands with the saffron party in the past, she said that 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.
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.
The DMK government has retrieved 7,000 acres of temple lands and held consecration of over 4,000 Hindu shrines.
At a meeting held to canvass votes for her party's Madurai Central candidate, IT Minister PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, she paused briefly as prayers were held at a nearby mosque. She said the request to do so came from some 'Hindus' in the audience and said "this is Tamil Nadu." BJP's "hate politics" will not happen in the state, she asserted.
