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Chennai, October 12 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Congress President K. Selvaperunthagai on Sunday launched a scathing attack on AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and accused him of indulging in “third-rate politics” and lacking the political maturity expected from a leader who once held the highest office in the state.
Addressing reporters at the Satyamurthy Bhavan in Royapettah, Selvaperunthagai said the EPS was visiting the state to “cry bitterly and abuse others” instead of addressing the genuine concerns of the people.
“He neither reads newspapers nor understands politics. After grabbing a van, he roams around the state spewing vulgar and irresponsible remarks. Is this how a former chief minister should behave?” he asked.
The Congress leader alleged that Palaniswami had “handed over the rights of Tamil Nadu” to the BJP-led central government and hence he had “no moral right” to criticize the Congress.
Selvaperunthagai commented, “His politics has stooped to the lowest level imaginable.”
Recalling late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s strong opposition to NEET exam, GST and Uday Bijli Yojana, he pointed out that EPS had supported the same central policies, betraying the interests of the state.
Turning his attention to the BJP, Selvaperunthagai criticized the party for “systematically weakening” the Right to Information (RTI) Act over the past decade. He reminded that it was under the guidance of Sonia Gandhi and the leadership of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that India got its landmark transparency law 20 years ago.
“Today, the BJP is trying to make RTI meaningless. More than 4.5 lakh RTI appeals are pending because BJP-ruled states have failed to appoint commissioners,” he said.
On the question of alliance, the state Congress chief reiterated that his party will stand firmly with the DMK-led front.
“We have successfully fought five elections together as part of this winning alliance. Tamil Nadu Congress will continue to follow the instructions of the AICC leadership,” he said.
He also rejected speculations of differences within the alliance and said, “Those who talk about alliance politics are expressing their personal opinions. The Congress is united and focused on people’s issues.”
–IANS
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