CM Stalin Counters AIADMK Chief's 'Covid' Jibe, Emphasizes Policy Legacy
In a sharp political exchange, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin launched a robust rebuttal against AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami for the second day running. This came in response to Palaniswami's controversial remark suggesting that "Stalin would have gone in Covid." Addressing a campaign rally in Chengalpet on Thursday, Stalin dismissed the comment with defiance, stating he harbors no fear of mortality.
Stalin Asserts Immortality Through Governance Schemes
"Palaniswami, everyone will face death one day. Even this Stalin will die one day and will be buried. But none have the guts to bury schemes introduced by Stalin," the Chief Minister declared while campaigning for DMK candidates and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief K Selvaperunthagai. He further emphasized, "As long as the schemes are there in Tamil Nadu, this Stalin will be ruling the state." This statement echoed the enduring words of late Chief Minister C N Annadurai, who famously asserted that his continued rule was symbolized by the persistence of his policies in the state.
Political Barbs Extend to RSS and BJP Allegations
Stalin did not hold back in his criticism, targeting not just Palaniswami but also broader political forces. He remarked that the "curse" of Palaniswami, along with that of his "bosses in RSS," would prove ineffective against him. "I will continue to serve Tamil Nadu till my last breath," he vowed, highlighting his commitment to public service. In contrast, he accused Palaniswami of having little to showcase beyond the AIADMK's 'Koovathur drama'—a reference to the 2017 incident post J Jayalalithaa's death, where party MLAs were sequestered at a private resort in Koovathur near Mahabalipuram to decide on a chief ministerial candidate.
Stalin Warns of BJP's 'Dangerous Plans' for Tamil Nadu
The Chief Minister escalated his attack by implicating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the saffron party has devised "dangerous plans for TN" intended for implementation through Palaniswami. "All of BJP's plans are long term and dangerous. Palaniswami has been chosen to implement the schemes," Stalin asserted, painting a picture of covert political maneuvering. He called on Palaniswami to dissociate from Dravidian legacy by removing the words 'Anna' (honoring Annadurai) and 'Dravida' from the AIADMK's name, questioning his party's ideological authenticity.
Election Day Looms as 'Judgment Day'
Concluding his speech with a stark warning, Stalin framed the upcoming electoral battle as a decisive moment. "April 23 will be the judgment day, where final nails on your coffin will be driven," he proclaimed, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown. This rhetoric underscores the intensifying campaign dynamics as Tamil Nadu gears up for critical polls, with Stalin positioning himself as a defender of progressive policies against perceived threats from opposition alliances.
