Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday sharpened his attack on AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), branding him a “No. 1 arrogant slave”, alleging that his political experience amounted to serving successive leaders, from Jayalalithaa in the past to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at present.
Addressing an election rally in Vellore district, Udhayanidhi was responding to remarks made by EPS a day earlier, in which the AIADMK leader had criticised him for using harsh language. Doubling down, Udhayanidhi said, “Yesterday, Mr Edappadi Palaniswami said I used inappropriate words. But I have never spoken like that. What I said was that he is a ‘No. 1 arrogant slave’.”
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The Deputy Chief Minister also dismissed EPS’s claim that he lacked political experience, turning the criticism around. “He says my age is equal to his political experience. Yes, I have less experience than him. But what is my experience?” Udhayanidhi asked.
He went on to frame his political journey as one rooted in resistance and self-respect. “My experience is not bowing down to threats or intimidation, especially not to the Sanghi gang. My experience is to walk with self-respect, to stand with the people, and to fight for the rights of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
In a pointed attack, Udhayanidhi questioned EPS’s political trajectory, alleging a pattern of submission to successive leaders.
“As long as Jayalalithaa was there, he was at her feet. After she passed away, he was at Sasikala’s feet. When Sasikala went to jail, he was at OPS’s feet. Today, he is at the feet of Modi and Amit Shah. That is his experience,” he said.
The Tamil Nadu minister further accused the AIADMK leader of opportunism and betrayal, adding, “He has the experience of falling at everyone’s feet and then stabbing them in the back.”
Udhayanidhi also alleged that EPS had held secret meetings with BJP leaders in Delhi. “I did not go to Delhi in four different cars to secretly meet Amit Shah. I did not go and hide my face after meeting Modi and Amit Shah. That experience belongs to Edappadi Palaniswami, not me,” he said.
Positioning the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election as a larger political battle, Udhayanidhi reiterated the DMK’s narrative of a contest between state pride and central influence.
“Our leader has said this clearly: this election is Tamil Nadu versus the Delhi team. Who is in the Delhi team? Modi, Amit Shah, and along with them, this gang of slaves,” he charged.
Tamil Nadu is set to vote in the Assembly elections on April 23, with the DMK aiming to retain power, while the AIADMK-led NDA is eyeing a comeback. Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is also hoping for a significant electoral debut.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
