Alleging that the AIADMK under Edappadi K. Palaniswami should take responsibility for the police firing during the Sterlite protests in Thoothukudi and the custodial deaths in Sathankulam, MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Saturday said the Opposition was raising law and order issues just to divert attention.

He was addressing a campaign meeting at Abirami Amman grounds in support of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader Jawahirullah, who is contesting in the Nagapattinam Assembly constituency as part of the DMK alliance.

Praising the government, led by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Mr. Vaiko said financial assistance of ₹3,000 and a ₹2,000 summer incentive provided to 1.35 crore women had caught the Opposition by surprise. Emphasising that a secular government was functioning in Tamil Nadu, he said the DMK administration had undertaken kumbhabhishekam of thousands of temples, initiated renovation work, and retrieved temple lands, while implementing schemes benefiting people of all communities.

Criticising Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his recent remarks against the DMK, Mr. Vaiko said the Dravidian movement, built through struggles, could not be uprooted, he said and accused the BJP of attempting to disrupt social harmony and urged voters not to give space to communal politics.