Kamaraj row: Pointless debates give in to divisive forces, warns Stalin

CHENNAI: Seeking to put to bed the controversy triggered by the comments of his party deputy general secretary 'Trichy' Siva about former Chief Minister and Congress veteran Kamaraj, Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin on Thursday made an appeal to avoid any pointless debate on the great leader and not to give in to evil forces trying to divide them.

Posting a message on his 'X' handle in the backdrop of the raging social media debate between DMK and Congress supporters since yesterday, Stalin said, "Let us not give room to the thoughts of evil-minded people who intend to incite division and gain from it.

"It is not appropriate to hold controversial debates in public about such a towering leader. Any opinion should be shared in a manner that upholds the dignity of the respected leaders," Stalin said, even as the DMK was facing an onslaught from the sympathisers of ally Congress and leaders of the opposition alliance ever since Congress MP S Jothimani and a few others retaliated to Tiruchy Siva's recent comments about Kamaraj.

"Let us all unite and work to fulfil the dreams of Kamarajar, who strived his entire life to establish social justice and secular harmony. Let us avoid pointless debates," Stalin said, after recalling the celebration of the Congress veteran by stalwarts of the Dravidian movement.

"Thanthai Periyar, the great social reformer, praised great leader Kamarajar as the 'True Tamilian. In the Gudiyatham by-election, it was Anna who decided not to field a candidate against him.

When he passed away, it was our leader Karunanidhi who stood like a son, organised the final rites, built a memorial, and declared Kamarajar's birthday as the educational development day," Stalin said, calling it an honour to have hosted Kamaraj, who attended his wedding in person even when the late leader was ailing.

Although a few MPs, such as Jothimani and Manickam Tagore, were retaliating against the DMK, prominent state Congress leaders were guarded in their response to the issue that threatened to sour the alliance bonhomie.