File photo of DMK chief M Karunanidhi
DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Saturday slammed the AIADMK government led by Jayalalalithaa in Tamil Nadu, asking people not to vote for her party in the April 24 Lok Sabha polls. "If you neglect my words, you would bear the brunt and there would be no land for the next generation. Vote for AIADMK if you want Tamil Nadu to turn barren," Mr Karunanidhi said while addressing an election rally in Coimbatore.
He also read out the list of properties in the name of Jayalalithaa, valued at over Rs 5,000 crore as submitted in the Special Court hearing her disproportionate wealth cases in Bangalore.
Mr Karunanidhi also said that he was ready to sacrifice his life to protect Tamil culture and the race. An emotional Mr Karunanidhi added, "This could be the last election for me."
When the massive crowd said "appadi sollathe" (don't say like that), the 90-year-old politician said, "If you take the oath, I will live not only 10 to 15 years more, but another 50 years, to protect the Tamil race and Tamils." A thunderous applause followed.
The crowd burst into laughter when Mr Karunanidhi said he was "belittled and ashamed when the speakers revealed the age when my wife was around and sitting by my side".
The DMK chief said that he was chief minister for five times and "the voters had given me retirement" as they do not want to see him sixth time in the last assembly elections.