EPS says bring it on, Stalin can pick spot

EPS says bring it on, Stalin can pick spot

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Erode:  08.01.2021

Hours after DMK president M K Stalin accepted the challenge for an open debate on corruption charges, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami upped the ante, demanding that the opposition leader prove his allegations against the government “if he was man enough and the true leader of the DMK”.

Addressing cadres during his campaign at Gobichettipalayam assembly constituency in Erode district on Thursday, EPS said he was prepared to participate in the debate at any place of Stalin’s choice, but demanded that the DMK leader answer his questions without help of reference papers (thundu cheetu – pointing to Stalin reading out from a prepared text during his campaigns).

“You have to prove the charges you have levelled against me. I am ready to answer all your questions. At the same time, you should answer my questions,” EPS said.

Earlier at Arachalur in Perundurai assembly segment, EPS made a speech on a similar note, demanding that Stalin participate in the open debate if he had the ability and the guts. EPS said Stalin was actually not prepared for an open debate and wanted to avoid one and hence he was laying down conditions.

“What is the connection between the court stay on a CBI inquiry and an open debate?” EPS asked, noting that the debate could happen even without vacating the stay. EPS said the tenders called for by his government were e- tenders where there could not be any irregularities. “This would be revealed if Stalin came for the open debate,” he said. Seeking to turn the tables, EPS said it was Karunanidhi’s family that had amassed wealth across the state. “Stalin had presumed that since I was from a village, he could level false allegations at me. His dream of spreading falsehood about the government, confusing people and winning the elections will never happen,” EPS said.

PULLING OUT ALL STOPS:

Palaniswami campaigned in Erode on Thursday

Palaniswami adopts Jaya campaign style

Erode: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s campaign in Erode on Thursday raised several eyebrows as he interspersed his speech with questions resembling that of the campaign speeches of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. It used to be Jayalalithaa’s signature in every campaign to pose the question ‘will you do it?’ twice (seiveergala, neengal seiveergala?). In a similar style, EPS posed a similar question twice to people. Alleging that the DMK regime in the past was marked by power cuts, EPS asked the public if they wanted the same situation to return. “Minsara vettu ungalukku meendum venduma… venduma?” he asked. Moments later, he once again asked if they wanted the dynastic rule to return. “DMK kudumba aatchi meendum venduma…venduma?” TNN