AIADMK Pledges State-Led Probe into Viral Audio on Karunanidhi's Final Days
In a significant political development, AIADMK general secretary Edapaddi K Palaniswami declared on Saturday that if his party secures victory in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections on April 23, his government will launch a comprehensive investigation into a controversial viral audio. The audio features senior DMK leader A Raja allegedly claiming that Chief Minister and DMK supremo MK Stalin kept his late father, M. Karunanidhi, under "house arrest" during his final days.
Palaniswami Challenges Stalin to Direct Anger at Raja
Addressing supporters at an election rally in Arani, Tiruvannamalai district, Palaniswami, a former Tamil Nadu chief minister, urged Stalin to redirect his frustration. "Mr. Stalin, do not vent your anger on me. Direct it at your deputy general secretary and former Union minister A Raja, who released the audio that went viral. I was only reporting what Raja disclosed in his message. Why get annoyed? Show your anger at Raja, and he will tell the truth. There is no point in taking it out on me," he asserted.
He further referenced statements from Stalin's elder brother, former Union minister MK Alagiri, who had previously indicated that "my father is being held as a prisoner." Palaniswami questioned the ethics of the situation, asking, "Is it fair to confine your own father, who made you the working president of DMK, to his house during his last days? Your elder brother Alagiri had said that his father was being held as a prisoner."
Drawing Parallels with Jayalalithaa Probe Promise
Recalling Stalin's pre-2021 assembly elections announcement to order a probe into the 2016 death of AIADMK stalwart and former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and her 75-day hospitalization, Palaniswami drew a direct comparison. "You said you would probe the former chief minister's demise. Karunanidhi was also a former chief minister. The AIADMK will initiate a state-led inquiry into Raja's audio and take appropriate legal action," he emphasized, highlighting the party's commitment to accountability.
Stalin Dismisses Allegations as Baseless and Offensive
In response, Chief Minister MK Stalin dismissed the allegations as "baseless and offensive" and cautioned Palaniswami to focus his criticism on governance performance. Stalin clarified that Karunanidhi was resting due to age-related ailments and accused Palaniswami of having "crossed all red lines" with his remarks. The exchange underscores the intense political rivalry as the state approaches the vote counting for all 234 assembly constituencies, scheduled for May 4.
The controversy has ignited debates over political ethics and familial dynamics within the DMK, with both parties leveraging the issue to sway voter sentiment in the highly contested Tamil Nadu elections.
