Tiruchi Siva’s comment on Kamaraj causes unease within the DMK-Congress alliance

DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva’s controversial comments that former Chief Minister and Congress stalwart K. Kamaraj wouldn’t sleep without an air conditioner and that he held the hands of DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi in his (Kamaraj’s) final days and urged him to ‘protect democracy’ have caused some unease within the DMK-Congress alliance. TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai and party Karur MP S. Jothimani have criticised Mr. Siva for his remarks.

Mr. Selvaperunthagai said nobody had the right to question or speak in such a manner about Kamaraj. “He (Siva) is speaking without any evidence. Leave him. Nobody is qualified to criticise Kamarajar,” he said.

Ms. Jothimani said Kamaraj was not only known for his honesty and administrative skills, but also for his simplicity, and added that he was defeated in elections because of myths spread by the DMK.

“He travelled to every nook and corner of Tamil Nadu. . These nooks and corners do not have air conditioned rooms or five-star hotels. As a Chief Minister, Kamaraj stayed in the government hostels and even slept under a tree when the heat was too much,” she said. Mr Siva’s statements were “completely untrue.”

“Kamaraj’s soul will not forgive us if we do not give a proper response to the myths spread against him. Every Congress worker should remember that the party is still standing in the political field in Tamil Nadu because of him.”

Vasan flays remarks

Reacting to Mr Siva’s comments, TMC (Moopanar) leader G.K. Vasan said the party was pained over this and strongly condemned them. “Kamaraj is instrumental for the growth attained by Tamil Nadu today. His tenure was known as the golden rule. He was a role model known for his simplicity and integrity. Therefore, such wrong statements (by Mr. Siva) should not have been made,” Mr. Vasan said.

Later in the day, Mr. Siva requested that his remarks on Kamaraj not be turned into a debate, adding that he held the late leader in high regard.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Tiruchi Velusamy’s comments at a public rally in Manaparai that only a coalition government is feasible in Tamil Nadu after the 2026 Assembly election raised some eyebrows. “We are not saints. Our intention is to attain power in Tamil Nadu. If my prediction is right, the next government can only be a coalition government and two Congressmen will be ministers. First let us become ministers in Tamil Nadu and then capture power in the State,” he said.

Reacting to it, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said, “This may be his view. But, anything related to seat sharing or sharing of power will be decided by the Congress leadership.”