Senior DMK leader Dindigul Leoni has triggered a political controversy by comparing former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's influence in the state to Lord Rama's sandals symbolically ruling Ayodhya during his exile, while predicting that the tenure of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's TVK government could last only 14 weeks.
Speaking at an event, Leoni said people continued to remember Stalin because of welfare schemes and other initiatives launched by the previous DMK government, even after he left office.
“Just as Lord Rama's sandals once ruled Ayodhya, your slippers are ruling this state,” Leoni said, addressing Stalin.
Citing schemes such as the Magalir Urimai financial assistance programme for women, the morning meal scheme, the Arivulagam inauguration and the metro rail project, Leoni said people continued to benefit from the initiatives and remember the former chief minister.
He also invoked Bharata, Lord Rama's younger brother in the Ramayana, who is associated with governing Ayodhya using Rama's sandals during his absence.
“Do not think that Bharata is the one ruling,” Leoni said, referring to the current political arrangement in Tamil Nadu.
Suggesting that the TVK government would not remain in office for long, the DMK leader said its tenure would not last 14 years, as in the Ramayana episode.
“This will not continue for 14 years. It may last just 14 weeks,” he said.
The remarks drew a sharp response from Tamil Nadu Health Minister K G Arunraj, who criticised the DMK leader and said the comments did not surprise him or the public.
“We are not at all surprised and people are also not surprised. This is expected from DMK's leaders to their Leader of Opposition, MLAs and speakers. Nothing shocking or surprising to us. People are clearly watching it. They know the standards of DMK, the entire party,” Arunraj said in Chennai.
The minister said people were watching the conduct of DMK leaders and their remarks.
Leoni's comments have brought the political rivalry between the DMK and the ruling TVK into focus, with the former seeking to highlight the continuing impact of its welfare initiatives and the latter's minister responding by attacking the opposition party's conduct.