Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami during an election campaign meeting in Tiruvannamalai.
Addressing a large gathering, Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised Palaniswami, stating, “We have seen aggressive devotees and aggressive party workers, but Edappadi Palaniswami stands as an aggressive slave of the BJP.”
He further alleged that the AIADMK leader has become subservient to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is attempting to bring the BJP into Tamil Nadu.
The campaign meeting was held near the Thiruvalluvar statue in the Tiruvannamalai Assembly constituency in support of DMK candidate and Public Works Minister E.V. Velu. Thousands of party workers and members of alliance parties, including Congress, MDMK, DMDK, VCK, CPI(M), and CPI, participated in the event.
Udhayanidhi Stalin arrived in an open vehicle and sought votes for the DMK`s Rising Sun symbol. During his speech, he praised E.V. Velu, highlighting his administrative capability and experience. He noted that both former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin have recognised Velu`s efficiency.
He also recalled that Velu had previously won the constituency with a margin of 95,000 votes and urged voters to increase the margin to one lakh in the upcoming election.
Highlighting development works in the constituency, Udhayanidhi listed projects completed over the past five years, including bus stand upgrades, road expansions into four-lane highways, integrated education offices, Rs56 crore government model school buildings, canal renovation works, improved hospital infrastructure, sanitation projects, public grievance centers, concrete roads around temples, and tourism infrastructure such as an international auditorium.
He also outlined the DMK government`s welfare initiatives, including free bus travel for women, the breakfast scheme for school students, the Pudhumai Penn scheme for girls, financial assistance schemes for youth, employment generation, free laptops for students, and financial aid for women. He accused opposition parties of attempting to block financial assistance schemes through legal means but said the state government ensured payments to beneficiaries.
Looking ahead, he announced key promises under the “Dravidian Model 2.0,” including increasing women`s financial assistance to Rs2000, expanding the breakfast scheme up to Class 8, raising monthly assistance for youth and women, enhancing pensions, providing free laptops to 35 lakh students, collateral-free loans for women self-help groups, housing for 10 lakh families, and Rs8000 household appliance coupons.
Reiterating his criticism, Udhayanidhi said Palaniswami is aligning with Modi and attempting to pave the way for the BJP in the state. He concluded by framing the election as a contest between Tamil Nadu and Delhi, urging voters to support the DMK to safeguard the state`s rights.
Following the meeting, Udhayanidhi Stalin continued his campaign in neighbouring constituencies.
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