Palaniswami slams DMK's Siva over Kamaraj remarks

Chennai

Amid a political row in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami strongly criticized DMK’s Tiruchi Siva for his remarks on late Congress leader K. Kamaraj. Siva had claimed at a public meeting that Kamaraj couldn't live without air conditioning—a comment Palaniswami called a blatant lie meant to tarnish the reputation of a respected leader who revolutionized education in the state. He accused the DMK of distorting history and pointed out that even Kamaraj’s death is well documented.

Palaniswami also blamed DMK leaders, including Chief Minister MK Stalin, for spreading slander and reigniting old grudges. He reminded the public of old cartoons published in Murasoli, which allegedly mocked Kamaraj, saying DMK starts controversies and then pretends to resolve them.

Meanwhile, BJP leader K. Annamalai questioned the Congress party’s silence and asked if it would leave the DMK alliance over the insult. CM Stalin appealed for unity, urging leaders to avoid divisive debates and uphold the dignity of Kamaraj.