In a sharp political retort, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has publicly accepted Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's challenge for a debate on the comparative achievements of their respective governments. The declaration came during the AIADMK's women's conference held in Kallakurichi on Monday, setting the stage for a major political confrontation in Tamil Nadu.
Countering Claims of Governance
Palaniswami, often referred to as EPS, was responding to a recent assertion by CM Stalin that the accomplishments of the ten-year AIADMK regime from 2011 to 2021 would not account for even five percent of what the DMK government has achieved in the past four and a half years. Dismissing this claim, EPS launched a multi-pronged attack on the ruling party's track record.
He asserted that the DMK government had failed to fulfill even a quarter of the 525 poll promises it made to the electorate. Highlighting a specific example, Palaniswami accused the administration of initiating a scheme to provide laptops to students only now, after a delay of four years, driven by fear of defeat in the forthcoming polls.
Investment Records and Job Creation
The AIADMK leader drew a direct contrast between the economic management of the two regimes. He reminded the public of the Global Investors Summit organized by the previous AIADMK government in January 2019, which he said resulted in investments worth approximately ₹3.05 lakh crore through the signing of 304 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
"As a result of these efforts, numerous factories commenced operations, generating employment for around 10 lakh youth," EPS stated. In contrast, he charged that the current DMK government, despite claims by Stalin and the state industries minister of attracting substantial investments, has refused to issue a white paper detailing these alleged inflows, raising questions about transparency.
Law, Order, and a "Headless" State
Shifting focus to law and order, Palaniswami presented alarming statistics. He claimed there has been a 50% increase in crimes against children since the DMK assumed power. He further criticized the administration for its alleged reluctance to appoint a full-time Director General of Police (DGP), leaving the state "headless."
"Without a full-time DGP, there is no protection for children, women, and senior citizens. Crimes have effectively doubled under the DMK regime," the opposition leader alleged. He also took a personal dig at the Chief Minister, questioning his priorities. EPS said Stalin found no time to visit the families of the 68 people who died in the Kallakurichi spurious liquor tragedy but spends his time on activities like watching movies, cycling, and walking.
The acceptance of the debate challenge marks a significant escalation in the war of words between Tamil Nadu's two major Dravidian parties. Palaniswami's detailed counter-arguments, citing specific figures and events, aim to shift the narrative from the DMK's self-proclaimed achievements to a scrutiny of its perceived failures, setting the tone for the upcoming electoral battle.
