Palaniswami has no right to comment on my relationship with Kalaignar, says Stalin

Stalin rebuffs Palaniswami's comments on his father, asserting DMK's strength and AIADMK's electoral failure in Tamil Nadu.

: DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday said AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami had no right or locus standi to comment on his relationship with his father, the late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

He also reiterated that the AIADMK, led by Mr. Palaniswami, “who had lost 10 elections [Since 2017, including local bodies]”, would never be able to capture power again.

“You cannot come to power so long as the supporters of Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi) are here. People have already decided that the DMK should be elected to save Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Stalin said.

Reacting to Mr. Palaniswami’s allegation that he had kept his father under house arrest, Mr. Stalin said it was Kalaignar who had given him life and made him what he is today. “Without any qualms, he alleges I kept him (M. Karunanidhi) under house arrest,” he said, amid shouts of “betrayer Palaniswami” from the crowd at an election campaign meeting in Tirunelveli.

Mr. Stalin said the fear of defeat had gripped Mr. Palaniswami and that he had exceeded the limits. “As the Leader of the Opposition, you have the right to criticise my performance as the Chief Minister. People will weigh your criticism in the election and give a fitting reply. But you have no right to say even a word about my relationship with my father,” Mr. Stalin said.

“What do you know about Kalaignar? He was a lion. He had crores of followers and had cast a spell over them with his words, ‘En Uyirinum Melana Anbu Udan Pirappukale.’ Even when he was confined to his house because of old age and had lost his memory, he uttered the word ‘Anna’ [C.N. Annadurai] when doctors asked him whom he loved the most. He wanted to visit Arivalayam and the Murasoli office even when he was unwell. No one can keep him under house arrest,” he further said.