Stalin can’t unseat government even using a crowbar, says Palaniswami

Responding to DMK working president M.K. Stalin’s claim on Sunday that had he wished he could have brought down the AIADMK government within the time of snapping of fingers, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday said the DMK leader would not be able to topple the government even if he used a crowbar.

Addressing a function organised in Thondamuthur in Coimbatore to launch a combined drinking water scheme, lay the foundation for a flyover and solemnise a mass wedding, the Chief Minister said Mr Stalin was in a dream world where his daydreams would remain just that. His desire that he could dislodge the AIADMK government was but a mirage.

Mr Palaniswami said as the DMK leader’s previous efforts, including creating a ruckus in the Assembly, had failed he was now levelling allegations that the government had not performed well. The Chief Minister claimed his government had launched several schemes and enjoyed the support of over 1.50 crore AIADMK cadre and, therefore, remained strong.

The Cauvery issue, he said, could have been solved much earlier had the DMK, which ruled the State and was a part of various coalition governments in the Centre, taken necessary steps. All the difficulty the State faced now in the Cauvery river water sharing disputes — the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee — would not have been there.

The Supreme Court had now given the Centre six weeks to constitute the Board. There were only a few days left for the deadline. The State Government was waiting for the Centre to act; and, if it did not, then the Government would think about the next course of action, Mr Palaniswami said.

He alleged that the DMK had missed several opportunities to solve the Cauvery problem as its focus remained on retaining power, while it claimed to uphold farmers’ interest. In contrast the AIADMK had the farmers’ interest in mind, he claimed.

The Chief Minister said his government was secular. At Monday’s mass wedding, it had organised weddings for Hindu couples in the presence of priests and Muslim and Christian couples in the presence of their respective priests.

On the Athupalam-Ukkadam flyover, the Chief Minister said the Highways Department was implementing the project in three packages at ₹ 215.51 crore. It had readied a design, to which Coimbatore residents had expressed reservations. The Department would take into consideration the people's wishes and would revise the drawing.

Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said those who had parted ways with the AIADMK to form a separate organisation were in reality heading only a faction. The AIADMK had with it former Chief Minister MGR, the two leaves symbol and also party flag. Therefore, the breakaway faction would not pose a threat to the ruling party.

Municipal Administration Minister S.P. Velumani said the leaders in the AIADMK coordinator and co-coordinator had risen through the party ranks through their hard work. They were unlike leaders who reached the top through shortcuts.

State ministers, MLAs, MPs, bureaucrats and ruling party members were present on the occasion.