DMK once allied with BJP to make Murasoli Maran Union Minister, says Edappadi K. Palaniswami

The DMK, which had aligned with the BJP in 1999 “to secure a Union Minister berth for Murasoli Maran” in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, is now portraying the AIADMK as anti-minority to gain minority votes, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Monday.

Addressing an election rally in the Muslim-majority town of Kadayanallur, Mr. Palaniswami accused DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of diverting public attention. He said since the DMK could not point out any flaws in the AIADMK’s governance, it was framing the upcoming election as a “battle between Tamil Nadu and Delhi” and branding the AIADMK as anti-minority due to its alliance with the BJP.

He further said the DMK itself had partnered with the BJP in 1999, when Murasoli Maran served as a Union Minister, and alleged that the party was now misleading minorities for electoral gain. “We have always been the armour for minorities,” Mr. Palaniswami said showing the photo of then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Murasoli Maran sharing a dais at a political event.

Highlighting pro-minority measures, he listed schemes such as distribution of rice during Ramzan, support for the Nagore Dargah, Hajj subsidies, construction of a Hajj House in Chennai, and the Quaid-e-Milleth memorial.

‘DMK copied manifesto’

He also said while the AIADMK supported A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in the Presidential election, the DMK opposed him. Additionally, he accused the DMK of copying AIADMK’s manifesto and criticised its ₹8,000 appliance token scheme as a “scam.”

“While we have promised to give you free refrigerator and credit ₹10,000 in your account for buying a home appliance of your choice since you have been hit hard by inflation, you will be compelled to buy a particular home appliance in the DMK’s token system, which will ultimately ensure monetary benefits to the party, and hence, it is a scam,” Mr. Palaniswami charged.

Outlining the AIADMK’s promises, Mr. Palaniswami said the party would provide ₹25,000 to working women for electric scooters, increase rural employment days to 150, offer ₹2,000 monthly assistance to unemployed graduates, distribute silk saris during Pongal, and provide three free LPG cylinders annually.

He alleged that the DMK had failed to fulfil even 25% of its 2021 poll promises, while asserting that the AIADMK would deliver on all its commitments. He also vowed to curb drug-related activities and investigate illegal mineral extraction, revive the Kudimaramaththu scheme for water bodies, improve Amma Unavagam food quality, and reintroduce Amma Mini Clinics.