Kanimozhi takes a dig at Palaniswami for being silent during press conference with Amit Shah

Taking a dig at the AIADMK over its electoral alliance with the BJP, DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi on Friday contended that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami could not even speak during the press conference addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah though it was said that he would head the National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu.

The AIADMK has been “forced to host” BJP leaders in Mr. Palaniswami’s residence, she alleged.

“Usually, those who head the alliance would make the announcement. But, the alliance is being announced when he [Mr. Palaniswami] could not even speak. He is accepting the alliance by sharing the dais with those who made derogatory comments against their party leaders,” Ms. Kanimozhi told reporters in Anna Arivalayam. The press conference made it “evident on who will truly head the alliance..,” Ms. Kanimozhi said rejecting Mr. Shah’s allegations against the DMK government over law and order and safety of women in the State.

“Even today, Manipur is burning. There is no answer from them. If they could answer, they would have the right to criticise others. Our Chief Minister is acting strongly whenever there is any issue. People know the truth and they have trust in this government,” she said.She further said that the alliance was a The AIADMK leadership has been “forced to a situation where they had to host the BJP leaders” at Mr. Palaniswami’s residence, Ms. Kanimozhi contended and further charged that it was betrayal of the AIADMK party and even greater betrayal to the people of Tamil Nadu.

To a query on the AIADMK not placing any demand before the BJP for the alliance, Ms. Kanimozhi said: “We have said earlier that they had pledged their party and the government [with the BJP]. Yet again, they are waiting to pledge their party. What conditions could they place there?...” The minorities never trusted the BJP, she said, adding that the people of Tamil Nadu would teach the alliance a “befitting lesson”.

“Tamil Nadu remains a force that can stop the fascist BJP government in the country, and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is leading it...,” she added. The AIADMK was attempting to give a red carpet welcome to those who have been rejected by the people of Tamil Nadu, she added. On Mr. Shah’s statement that the NEET issue would be worked out with the AIADMK, she asked why was this not done when the AIADMK was in power. “Let them announce today that there is no NEET for Tamil Nadu,” she said.

The DMK [and its predecessors] was against the imposition of Hindi and the three-language policy since the 1930s, she said.

She further accused the BJP government of using the Income Tax Department, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Directorate of Enforcement against leaders of Opposition parties that spoke against the BJP government. About 95% of the ED cases were against leaders of the Opposition, but the conviction rates was less than 2%, she added.

“They are making a miscalculation by trying to intimidate those in Tamil Nadu. They are trying to divert attention from their misdeeds in their government by foisting false cases. There is no need for us to divert because our Chief Minister’s schemes have reached the people,” she added.

Published - April 12, 2025 12:14 am IST