Palaniswami ‘speaking’ BJP’s language: Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami of “speaking” for the BJP and said he has proved the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (DMK) allegation that there is a secret alliance between the two parties right. The DMK president was responding to questions in his “Ungalil Oruvan” series (One of You). He was asked about the opinions expressed by DMK allies and whether there was any “contradiction” in it. The chief minister said he considered their views only as advice. DMK allies Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) had demanded that the Vengaivayal case, linked to the discovery of human excreta in an overhead water tank in Pudukkottai district, be handed over to the CBI. The DMK chief said the Centre had taken the decision to impose President’s rule in Manipur “too late”. He said Biren Singh had no choice and hence he had to step down as chief minister. Asked about Palaniswami’s remarks that the Delhi assembly election results had dealt a blow to the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INA), Stalin said, “I have already answered; if you look at Palaniswami’s statements, it will look similar to the statements of the BJP.” Besides, Stalin claimed that the AIADMK top leaders were “speaking” for the BJP and were proving the DMK’s allegation of a secret alliance between the AIADMK and the BJP right. He said Palaniswami should look at his failures before making any comment.