CHENNAI: Slamming DMK chief M Karunanidhi for commenting on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa's health, Finance Minister O Panneerselvam said his leader had never talked about political rivals' health "for politics".
"Should not they know political decency? Expecting political deceny from Karunanidhi of course is wrong," he said while addressing a public meeting held here by the ruling party.
Referring to DMK chief's remarks seeking to know Jayalalithaa's health status, he asked if she had ever talked about political rivals' health. "Has she ever talked about any one's health for politics?
In his presidential address at the meeting late last night, Panneerselvam also said, "People have relegated Karunanidhi to a corner and he is desperately trying to make an electoral come back, it is not going to happen."
At a public meeting on July 7, Karunanidhi had said, "Tamil Nadu is a state without a Chief Minister, she is not doing her job since she is not well and that is why she should take rest."
Taking exception to DMK patriarch's remarks, AIADMK daily "Dr Namadhu MGR" had yesterday said "Karunanidhi's slanderous remarks at the public meeting and his political stooge (TNCC chief EVKS) Elangovan giving statements (on health) is shameful."
Pointing to the spectacular victory by Jayalalithaa in the recent RK Nagar bypoll, Pannerselvam said, "People will not forgive Karunanidhi and his dream of making a comeback will never happen."
Referring to the DMK chief's comment that "he (Panneerselvam) will weep if he visits me in private," he said "the world knew who wept everyday."
The minister said, "It was Karunanidhi who wept everyday over family and party squabbles... Stop making such remarks, else we will be giving a befitting reply."
Karunanidhi had, in the address, alleged Panneerselvam, the stop-gap chief minister till Jayalalithaa's conviction in wealth case was set aside, was being harassed by AIADMK.
Interestingly, AIADMK held the meeting at the same venue at Alandur here where Karunanidhi had asked Jayalalithaa to "take rest."
DMK had organised the meet to "thank" Karunanidhi and party Treasurer Stalin for "bringing" Metro Rail project to the city.
AIADMK described yesterday's public meeting as a "thanksgiving meet for Puratchi Thalaivi Amma." Several ministers reeled out statistics claiming that the project took off due to the efforts of Jayalalithaa during their party's previous tenure (2001-06).