CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has accused Chief Minister MK Stalin of making misleading claims about women’s safety in the state.
Speaking at an election rally in Dharmapuri, Palaniswami said Stalin’s recent assertions in Erode about improved conditions for women are contradicted by official government statistics.
Citing data, Palaniswami noted that 26,000 sexual offence cases and nearly 18,000 Pocso cases have been registered under the DMK rule.
He alleged that the government is trying to shield culprits in sensitive cases, pointing to its move before the Supreme Court opposing a CBI probe into the Anna Nagar minor assault case. He also raised concerns over the Anna University sexual harassment case.
Recalling AIADMK’s clean sweep in Dharmapuri district in the 2021 elections in alliance with the PMK, Palaniswami urged voters to repeat that mandate.
He asserted that his party is not subservient to the BJP, citing its independent record including stalling Parliament for 22 days over the Cauvery issue. He criticised DMK MPs for failing to effectively oppose the NEET exam in Parliament despite their frequent claims.
Palaniswami further accused the DMK government of failing to protect society from a growing drug menace and rising heinous crimes, while pushing the state into unprecedented debt.
He highlighted AIADMK’s election manifesto promises, including refrigerators for ration card holders, enhanced pensions for senior citizens, and subsidies for women and auto drivers. He concluded by calling on voters to reject the DMK regime and restore AIADMK governance.