Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 17 : DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva has stirred a political row within INDIA alliance in Tamil Nadu by making controversial remark on former Chief Minister and Congress stalwart K Kamaraj.
Adding to the controversy, BJP leader Annamalai on Thursday questioned Congress over their "silence" on Tiruchi Siva comments. He also asked whether Congress will leave the DMK alliance and contest alone to "save their dignity."
"Is Congress still silent after DMK speaking factually incorrect about K. Kamaraj? Is Congress ready to leave the DMK alliance? Is Congress prepared to contest alone to save its dignity?" he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urged leaders to avoid debates, and "to not give room to the intentions of evil-minded people who plan to stir trouble and revel in it!"
He said that it is not right to "controversial debates" in public about K Kamraj, "a true Tamilian," as Stalin described.
"Do not give room to the intentions of evil-minded people who plan to stir trouble and revel in it! Father Periyar was the one who praised the great leader Kamarajar as a 'true Tamilian." Stalin wrote in a post on X.
"It is not right to have controversial debates in public about such a great leader, a great Tamilian. Any opinion shared should be in a manner that upholds the dignity of respected leaders," he added.
He urged the alliance to unite and fulfill the dreams of Kamraj
"Let us all unite and work to fulfill the dreams of the great leader who dedicated his entire life to building social justice and secular harmony! Let us avoid pointless debates!" he said
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Congress has demanded apology from Tiruchi Siva over his remark on Kamraj.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee State General Secretary Saravanan alleged that Tiruchi Siva falsely claimed that an air-conditioned room was installed for Kamaraj in the Tamil Nadu Tourist Rest House.