Palaniswami trains guns on Vijay

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday attacked TVK founder Vijay, saying he was being ignorant and was expecting results without hard work.

Mr. Palaniswami was addressing a meeting in Kancheepuram as part of his statewide tour.

Without naming Mr. Vijay, Mr. Palaniswami compared politics with cinema, and said that just as one could not [always] debut as a hero in films, a [political] newcomer could not expect to shine in politics immediately.

Mr. Palaniswami’s comments came in response to Mr. Vijay’s speech at his party’s State conference, in which he said the AIADMK had formed an incompatible alliance with the BJP. “Some people are asking whose hands is the AIADMK in today. What a pity! That kind of talk is out of ignorance. If he is the leader of a party without even knowing this, how can his partymen trust him?” he said.

Attributing his success in politics to the people, Mr. Palaniswami said his only identity was hard work, loyalty, and service that helped him become the party’s general secretary as well as the Chief Minister of the State.

“Some people are saying whatever comes to mind without knowing what is happening in the country,” he said.

A plant would take time to become a tree and then to bear fruits, Mr. Palaniswami said, adding that any political organisation would also have to go through a similar process.

Due to the hard work of late leaders M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK ruled the State for over three decades, Mr. Palaniswami said, listing the achievements of successive AIADMK governments. “Many are ignorant of all this, and speak as if they have accomplished a Himalayan task,” he said.

Pointing to former Ministers S.S. Vaigaichelvan and V. Somasundaram, who were accompanying him, Mr. Palaniswami said they, too, were recognised through their hard work. “Some people think they have an influence on the people. They are talking as if the people could be saved only on their arrival. You all know whom I am referring to,” he said.

Recalling the life and contributions of MGR and Jayalalithaa, Mr. Palaniswami said, “Whoever intends to start a political party could do so only by praising our leaders.”

Recalled his public life spanning five decades, he said, “Some people are not even working, but are already expecting results. It would not last.”

Reiterating that the AIADMK was the only force that could defeat the DMK, he said his party had the highest number of workers.