The valedictory function of the year-long celebrations organised by the State government to mark the birth centenary of AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran here on Sunday ended up looking more like a party affair, with leaders hitting out at their arch-rival DMK and other opponents.
Chief Minister and AIADMK co-coordinator Edappadi K. Palaniswami took on DMK president and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin over his criticism of the State government. Referring to Mr. Stalin’s often-made comment that it was an “inactive government”, Mr. Palaniswami asked how his government could have won several awards if the claim were true.
The Chief Minister went on to claim that the DMK did not do much for the welfare of the people when it was in power, and hence, Mr. Stalin had no other option but to criticise the AIADMK government. He further claimed that Mr. Stalin did not possess the necessary qualities to be the Leader of the Opposition.
Rakes up Lankan issue
Launching a tirade against Mr. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister and AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam claimed that the Congress and the DMK did not do anything to stop the killing of innocent Tamils during the civil war in Sri Lanka.
And when in power, the DMK did not make efforts to protect the State’s interests on important issues like the Cauvery, Mr. Panneerselveam said, adding that this was the reason why Mr. Stalin was hesitant to participate in the function.
Referring to some “traitors”, he said the people of Tamil Nadu won’t believe their “bagful of lies”. The AIADMK had always remained strong, and its strength would be proved in the forthcoming elections, he said.
Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha M. Thambi Durai recalled that former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran donated ₹75,000 when the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, appealed for donations in the face of Chinese aggression in 1962.
Jayakumar’s jibes
In his speech, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar took a dig at “some persons” who were seen with ₹20 notes in the R.K. Nagar constituency, and slammed the “Mannargudi family”. He also made fun of several other persons who were “nurturing” political ambitions in the State, without naming them.
As part of the function, Mr. Palaniswami released commemorative stamps to mark the birth centenary of M.G. Ramachandran. They were received by Mr. Panneerselvam.
Mr. Palaniswami also gave away prizes to those who won in competitions conducted by the government.