DMK was in power five times. You were deputy CM. Why didn't you take care of people then: K Palaniswami
Hitting out at DMK President MK Stalin for his Chief Ministerial aspirations, incumbent K Palaniswami on Thursday wondered if the post was something that could be purchased from a shop and said it has to be decided by the people.
Noting that he hailed from a humble rural background to scale the present heights, the Chief Minister said Stalin's case was not so, indicating he grew with the support of his father, the late DMK chief M Karunanidhi.
He also took a swipe at DMK Youth Wing chief and Stalin's son Udhayanaidhi for his persistent criticism of the ruling party, questioning his qualification to do so and asserting "my political experience is his age."
Addressing an election rally, he questioned Mr Stalin holding meetings in Assembly constituencies to listen to people's grievances and assuring to reddress them in 100 days if voted to power in the coming elections.
"DMK was in power five times. You were a Minister and deputy CM. Why didn't you take care of people then. They won't cater to people while in power but are speaking lies (now) to come to power," the AIADMK joint coordinator charged.
Mr Palaniswami said that while Stalin had his father's backing, he climbed the ladder of success from a rural background.
Anyone from AIADMK can reach the top with hardwork, but that was not the case in the DMK where the party's first family was at the helm of affairs, he said.
The present government was that of people and "I never saw myself as a chief minister but you (people) are" and the post was meant to serve the public, he said.
"But Stalin is not like that. He says he will become CM in three months. How is that possible? People have to vote, you need majority. Is a CM post some commodity that is available in a shop? It is a post given by people," he added.
Further, targeting Udhayanidhi, he pointed out at his repeated criticism of the government and said his qualification was none other than being Stalin's son and Karunanidhi's grandson.
"My political experience is his age. He is criticising the AIADMK. Look at the irony... the party has slipped to such depths that DMK's announcements are now not made by Stalin but Udhayanidhi.. it is a family party, a corporate company," he said.