Chennai Minister Slams AIADMK Chief Over Dictator Comparison, Questions Moral Standing
In a sharp political rebuke from Chennai, Agriculture Minister M R K Panneerselvam on Saturday launched a scathing attack on AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. The minister strongly condemned Palaniswami for comparing the DMK government to historical dictators and questioned his eligibility to speak about authoritarianism in Tamil Nadu politics.
Political Frustration Over Opinion Polls
In his detailed statement, Panneerselvam asserted that Palaniswami's remarks revealed political frustration stemming from recent opinion polls. According to the minister, these surveys clearly reflect the public mood favoring the DMK alliance and demonstrate strong support from women voters across the state. Unable to digest these positive surveys, Panneerselvam claimed, Palaniswami has resorted to making baseless allegations against the ruling government.
Dictator Comparison Sparks Controversy
The controversy erupted earlier when Palaniswami issued a statement comparing Chief Minister M K Stalin with notorious dictators including Hitler, Mussolini, and Nero. The AIADMK leader further added that under the DMK regime, women's safety has become a serious concern requiring immediate attention. This comparison has ignited a fierce political debate in Tamil Nadu's capital.
Strong Rebuttal From DMK Minister
Refuting all charges decisively, Panneerselvam declared that no attempts from Delhi with authoritarian intent would be permitted to succeed in Tamil Nadu. He emphasized that the Dravidian model government under Chief Minister Stalin will continue to resist injustices by the Union government led by BJP. When our chief minister declares that Tamil Nadu will not bow to the Centre, why does this statement irritate Palaniswami so much? the minister questioned pointedly.
Moral Standing On Women's Safety Questioned
In a particularly forceful segment of his response, Panneerselvam recalled the Pollachi sexual assault case that occurred during the previous AIADMK administration. The minister asserted that Palaniswami has no moral standing whatsoever to speak about women's safety given his government's track record. The situation in which women lived during his regime is best exemplified by what happened in Pollachi, Panneerselvam stated, highlighting what he described as the previous government's failure to protect women.
Action Against Drug Networks
The agriculture minister also highlighted the DMK government's unprecedented action against narcotic substance misuse. He revealed that those involved in drug trafficking are being systematically arrested, and ongoing investigations are exposing links between AIADMK functionaries and such illegal networks. This crackdown represents a significant commitment to public safety and law enforcement in the state.
Panneerselvam concluded by challenging those who consistently praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating they have no legitimate right to lecture others about authoritarianism. The political confrontation underscores the intensifying rivalry between Tamil Nadu's major political parties as they position themselves on issues of governance, women's safety, and state autonomy.
