AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK, alleging widespread corruption during its four-year rule and calling the upcoming Assembly election “the election to end all corruption”.
Addressing a massive NDA rally here, Palaniswami said the AIADMK-led coalition would secure a decisive mandate and form the next government in Tamil Nadu. “We will win in a majority of seats. Our coalition will win 210 seats and capture power in this election,” he declared amid loud cheers from party cadres.
The former Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu witnessed steady growth under the AIADMK regime but had suffered a decline after the DMK came to power. “The State developed under the AIADMK government. It has fallen under the present DMK rule,” he alleged.
Palaniswami also accused the DMK government of constantly criticising the Centre instead of cooperating for the State’s development. “The current government is only finding fault with the Central government and is not working with it for the welfare and development of the people,” he said.
Referring to the Covid-19 pandemic, the AIADMK leader praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the crisis. “Even developed nations could not save their citizens during Covid. But Prime Minister Modi’s government helped the country overcome the crisis,” he said.
Concluding his speech with a political punch, Palaniswami said the people of Tamil Nadu were ready for a change. “This election will mark the end of corruption. Bye bye, Stalin,” he said.