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Edappadi K. Palaniswami accused DMK of over 6,000 minor girls facing sexual harassment and vowed AIADMK victory in 2026.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami. (PTI)
AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK government, alleging that more than 6,000 minor girls have faced sexual harassment during its tenure and asserting that it was “high time to change the government” in the 2026 Assembly polls.
“Over 6,000 minor girls faced sexual harassment during DMK’s rule; high time to change government in 2026 polls,” Palaniswami said.
Hitting out at DMK over a range of issues, including corruption, deteriorating law and order, and increasing incidents of sexual assaults, Palaniswami said most of the ministers will be in jail for corruption at the time of polls.
“The AIADMK will investigate all corruption charges against the DMK after forming the government,” he said.
He further expressed confidence that the AIADMK-led alliance will secure a simple majority, adding that the party would hold its victory celebration in Gobichettipalayam, countering the claim that Erode remains a stronghold of Sengottaiyan.
“He sought your votes during elections, but did he ever consult you before resigning as an MLA?” Palaniswami asked the gathering. He further asserted that Gobichettipalayam would be developed far better than Edappadi, referring to his hometown in Salem district.
Palaniswami also slammed expelled veteran K A Sengottaiyan as a “betrayer” who acted against the interests of the party that gave him an identity and asserted that no one, however big, could defeat the party.
In a show of strength, Palaniswami addressed a mega rally at Sengottaiyan’s home turf of Gobichettypalayam near here and dubbed the latter “selfish.” The former Chief Minister justified expelling the 9-time MLA, also a former Minister from the party.
Days after Sengottaiyan joined the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Palaniswami asserted that the AIADMK would retain the Gobichettipalayam constituency in the upcoming elections and questioned whether the expelled leader had sought the people’s consent before resigning as an MLA.
Extending his wishes to Sengottaiyan using the traditional phrase of “Engirunthalum Vazhga” (Do well, wherever one may be), Palaniswami said had the expelled leader been quiet it would have been good.
“He (Sengottaiyan) said they (TVK) will give a pure government.” Palaniswami, recalling Sengottaiyan’s stint as a Minister in the AIADMK regimes, wondered, “at that time, did we not give pure (clean) government, good governance…no one, however, big can defeat the AIADMK.” He also asked if Sengottaiyan, who had met the people to get their votes sought their views before resigning as MLA.
He asserted that the AIADMK would emerge victorious in the 2026 polls and the first victory event would be held at Gobichettypalayam and it would be developed as the numero uno constituency in the state.
(With inputs from PTI)
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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