TVK-DMK war of words escalate in TN over ensuing local body polls

Chennai, June 7 (IANS) A sharp political confrontation has erupted between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), with both sides trading barbs and daring each other ahead of the upcoming local body elections in Tamil Nadu.

The latest round of the feud was triggered by allegations that Greater Chennai Corporation Mayor Priya had shown disrespect towards TVK MLA Pallavi during a recent public event. The controversy quickly snowballed into a broader political confrontation, with senior leaders from both parties exchanging challenges over the outcome of the local body polls expected to be held in the coming months.

State Public Works Department Minister Aadhav Arjuna launched a blistering attack on the DMK leadership, accusing the party of insulting a democratically elected representative.

He said TVK had exercised restraint so far but would not remain silent when its legislators were allegedly humiliated.

Throwing down the gauntlet to DMK leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin and the party leadership, Aadhav Arjuna predicted a crushing defeat for the opposition in the local body elections. He asserted that the DMK would fail to secure even a single mayoral post among the state’s municipal corporations.

Referring specifically to Chennai, the minister claimed that the party would struggle to retain its influence and suggested that it could even face embarrassment at the polls.

The remarks drew an immediate and equally aggressive response from DMK Organisational Secretary R.S. Bharathi, who dismissed the minister’s challenge and questioned his political stature.

Bharathi argued that Aadhav Arjuna lacked the standing to challenge either DMK President M.K. Stalin or senior party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Citing Tamil Nadu’s political history, he pointed to the AIADMK’s dominance under former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran in the 1984 Assembly election and noted that the DMK-led alliance nevertheless emerged victorious in a majority of municipalities during the 1986 local body elections.

Insisting that local body elections often produce results different from Assembly contests, Bharathi expressed confidence that the DMK would perform strongly whenever the elections are held.

In a dramatic flourish that has since drawn widespread attention, Bharathi declared that if TVK succeeds in winning even a single mayoral post, he would shave off one side of his trademark moustache.

The exchange signals the beginning of what is expected to be an intense and highly charged battle between TVK and DMK as Tamil Nadu moves closer to the crucial local body elections.

–IANS

aal/dpb