AIADMK Leader EPS Condemns CM Stalin's 'False Narrative' on Medical Quota
In a sharp political rebuttal, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. The criticism came in response to Stalin's recent remark suggesting that the previous AIADMK government introduced the landmark 7.5% horizontal reservation for government school students in medical admissions only due to pressure from the DMK.
Defending AIADMK's Legacy and Welfare Initiatives
EPS, as the former chief minister is popularly known, categorically dismissed Stalin's assertion as a "false narrative" designed to unjustly claim credit for the AIADMK government's welfare schemes. In an official statement released from Chennai, Palaniswami emphasized that the reservation policy was entirely "conceptualized and implemented" by the AIADMK regime under his leadership.
This policy was specifically crafted to fulfill the long-standing aspiration of government school students to gain entry into medical colleges, he stated. The horizontal quota, according to EPS, was "borne out of my own thinking" and was meticulously executed through appropriate constitutional provisions, reflecting the party's commitment to educational equity.
Drawing Parallels with Historic AIADMK Schemes
Drawing a powerful comparison to iconic AIADMK welfare programs, EPS declared, "Nutritious meal scheme means puratchi thalaivar (MGR), cradle baby scheme means puratchi thalaivi Amma, and 7.5% horizontal reservation means the government headed by me." He accused the Chief Minister of repeatedly attempting to appropriate credit for AIADMK's schemes by "peddling lies every single day."
Palaniswami suggested that this behavior stems from the DMK's underlying fear of electoral defeat, indicating a growing political anxiety within the ruling party as it faces mounting public scrutiny over its governance record.
AIADMK Announces Aggressive Protest Strategy
Simultaneously, the AIADMK has unveiled a comprehensive series of protests targeting both state-level and hyper-local issues. This strategic move aims to intensify pressure on the ruling DMK and highlight what the opposition party describes as the government's failure to ensure basic amenities and fulfill its electoral promises.
The protest agenda includes:
- A demonstration at Manamadurai municipality on February 11, focusing on the severe lack of civic facilities.
- A statewide agitation on February 13 against the non-implementation of the rural employment guarantee scheme, a critical livelihood program for Tamil Nadu's rural population.
EPS to Resume High-Profile Election Campaign
In a significant political development, the AIADMK also announced that Edappadi K Palaniswami will resume his influential ‘Makkalai Kappon, Thamilagathathai Meetpom’ election campaign. This public outreach initiative is scheduled to recommence on February 15 at Bhavanisagar in the Erode district, signaling the party's preparation for upcoming electoral battles and its focus on reconnecting with the electorate.
The announcement of these coordinated protests and the revival of EPS's campaign underscore the AIADMK's determined strategy to challenge the DMK government on multiple fronts, combining policy defense with grassroots mobilization to reclaim its political narrative and hold the administration accountable.
