MANAMADURAI: DMK leader Kanimozhi on Thursday took a swipe at the AIADMK over its alliance with the BJP, saying its leader Edappadi K Palaniswami would face the same fate as JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar, and wanted the party "at least" in the opposition.
The Lok Sabha MP, addressing a public meeting here for the April 23 polls, claimed it was not a mere Assembly election but a battle between "Keeladi and Nagpur, the headquarters of RSS."
She was referring to the Keeladi archaeological excavations in this district, and claimed the findings have proven the heritage value of Tamil, which the "BJP does not want to accept."
She said Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin had asked the Centre to accept the report of the findings, which it has not.
"They (BJP-led Centre) didn't accept it since that would reveal the significance of Tamils and the Tamil race to the world. The BJP cannot accept it; (a government) which keeps imposing Hindi on Tamil Nadu, gives pittance as allocation for Tamil compared to Sanskrit," she said.
She lashed out at the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP.
"As a Tamil, Palaniswami should have said that the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should accept the research report. Palaniswami thinks he will be made to sit in the (CM) seat. Just think what happened to Nitish Kumar. Someone who should have been CM is sitting in the Rajya Sabha," she said.
Kanimozhi was referring to Kumar's decision to step down as Bihar CM and move to the Upper House of Parliament.
Further mocking the AIADMK chief, she said, "If you have a favourite place (state), let Amit Shah know about it. He will only send you as governor there."
She further said it was "well-known" what has happened to the other allies of the BJP.
"I am concerned, Tamil Nadu needs an opposition party, no? We believe in democracy; you (AIADMK) should at least be in opposition, and I am saying this out of concern. Please take care," the Lok Sabha MP said.
The victory of the ruling DMK and CM Stalin is "decided".
The upcoming fight was not merely confined to the hustings, Kanimozhi said.
"Beyond polls, there is going to be a battle; that of Keeladi vs Nagpur, which is the headquarters of RSS. It is a Nagpur vs Tamil battle," she said.
Exuding confidence of the ruling party-led bloc's win in the election, she said, "Our win is for all the people of India."
"It will give hope to every Indian that they can also defeat the divisive forces and those who are against the country's development."
Further, the ruling DMK's poll promises, including "Muthalvar Padaippagam," have been made by Stalin, and they were implementable, she said.
Assuring a number of development initiatives for the regions, including Tirubuvanam and Ilayankudi in the district, she also referred to the DMK's poll promise of "Muthalvar Padaippagam." The said initiative includes 24 hour wi-fi facility for youth who want to work, but don't have a place to do so, besides books.
"Who has given these assurances--Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin. They are implementable," she added.
Later, addressing a similar meet at Madurai for her party's Tirupparankundram candidate, Kiruthika Thangapandi, she said the town reminds of the attempts to "create a riot" by the BJP and AIADMK recently.
She was referring to the deepam lighting row at the Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple.
"In Tamil Nadu, people of all faiths live as brothers and sisters. Here there are different religions, but no hatred or vendetta based on religion. TN people are keen only about development; focus on national development, women's development, importance to self respect. But the BJP has repeatedly created communal violence to come to power (and) tried the same game in Tirupparankundram. But people here gave a fitting lesson saying this is Tamil Nadu, there is no place for you," she added.
Responding to Palaniswami's poser asking why the DMK, which was criticising his party's alliance with the BJP, joined hands with the saffron party in the past, she said the ties were determined based on a Common Minimum Programme (CMP). This ensured the minorities did not suffer, she claimed.
Hitting back at the AIADMK chief, she wondered if he opposed the CAA, Waqf Board related amendments, the now withdrawn farm laws, and other issues related to the current BJP dispensation.
The DMK was fighting the April 23 polls on its five-year performance, she said, while referring to the various development initiatives undertaken in and around Tirupparankundram.
Meanwhile, canvassing votes for her party's Madurai South candidate, she said people of the state were not ready to vote for AIADMK and pick DMK which will secure their future.
Despite the Centre "not giving" TN its funds, the DMK govt has ensured top growth for the state.
Ridiculing Palaniswami's charge that the DMK copied his party's manifesto, she said that even if copying is ok, "you copy from a performing student."
"You (AIADMK) have no chance of passing, so why should we copy from you. You are not going to come to power to implement the promises," she said.
She accused the AIADMK of "copying" from her party by borrowing from late DMK chief M Karunanidhi's words.
"We have no need to copy. You promised Rs 10,000 (one time assistance) after our CM had Rs 5,000 (monthly assistance given in advance)," she said.