Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai on Friday claimed the AIADMK was steadily declining and has became a “branch party”, which was the reason its general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami “appears unsure of what to say”.
Addressing an Assembly election campaign in Thingal Nagar, he alleged Mr. Palaniswami was lashing out Chief Minister M.K. Stalin that he might have even died during the Covid-19 pandemic. “A civilised person and even a person with no knowledge of politics would not speak in such manner,” Mr. Selvaperunthagai criticised.
He stressed Mr. Palaniswami must ask an unconditional apology from the people of Tamil Nadu, adding “They will not tolerate uncivilised politics or offensive, high handed remarks.”
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According to him, as long as the AIADMK remained in its original form, such uncivilised speech was absent. However, after aligning with BJP, it has shifted towards hatred politics and Mr. Palaniswami has became a RSS functionary promoting this hatred politics, he claimed..
“A question arises whether Edappadi K. Palaniswami is leading the AIADMK or serving the RSS.” Mr. Selvaperunthagai said.
Tamil Nadu Congress commitee president K. Selvaperunthagai addressing at an election campaign meeting at Tholayavattam in Kanniyakumari district. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Mr. Selvaperunthagai also campaigned in Tholayavattam and Melpuram, in support of Congress candidates.
At Melpuram, he said whenever the Congress faces challenges, Kanniyakumari district has stood by the party, with Vilavancode being the principal constituency.
Alleging BJP is plotting against fishermen, Christians, minorities and Scheduled Caste people, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said the BJP was deploying all its influence in Tamil Nadu in an attempt to make inroads. “Every vote you cast should send a message that BJP will never be able to gain a foothold here,” he added.
At the campaign in Tholayavattam supporting Congress candidate S. Rajesh Kumar, he highlighted the welfare measures implemented by the Tamil Nadu government, noting the fishermen would be provided with ₹12,000, if the DMK returns to power, as promised in its election manifesto.
All India Congress Committee leader Girish Chodankar was participated during the campaign.
Published - April 10, 2026 08:19 pm IST