For the first time since the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016, senior Congress leader and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram had to hear a mouthful of harsh words from Edappadi Palaniswamy, the present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Chidambaram while addressing a meeting on Jammu & Kashmir held in Chennai on Sunday had taunted and ridiculed the AIADMK for supporting the BJP-led Centre in revoking and abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution. “The AIADMK leaders are stooges of the BJP and they would not do anything if the Central Government downgrades Tamil Nadu into a municipality,” the former Minister had said in his speech.
Edappadi Palaniswamy, who usually does not react to criticism and taunts targeted at him by the DMK or the Congress chose to retaliate on Tuesday while reporters met him at the sidelines of a public function in Salem.
“You need not bother about the words of Chidambaram because he himself does not know what he speaks. Chidambaram has become a burden for the earth and that is all. He has been a union minister holding important portfolios for many years. But what he has done for Tamil Nadu?” asked Palaniswamy
The Chief Minister pointed out that other than ridiculing and humiliating his political rivals, Chidambaram’s contribution to Tamil Nadu is zero. “Has he brought any union government funded or promoted projects to Tamil Nadu? Has he made any efforts in resolving the Kaveri River water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka? Has he done anything to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu in the Mullaperiyar issue ? No. For Chidambaram, what matters is his family and properties. Has he toured Tamil Nadu as a minister? No. Now he is reluctant to face the voters and that’s why he went to Maharashtra to get elected as parliament member ,” chided Palaniswamy in his characteristic style.
Chidambaram who is articulate in ridiculing and taunting his political rivals by arguing that they don’t know anything about Statecraft and managing the nation’s economy and internal security. He has always claimed that he was the best finance and Home Minister available in the country. The only person whom he was afraid of in Tamil Nadu was Amma Jayalalithaa. Till she was alive , the former minister was cautious in his words. But Palaniswamy decided to tame Chidambaram on Tuesday in his own style. The video clipping of the chief minister giving back the Congress strongman a piece of his mind has become viral in the social media much to the amusement of the AIADMK leadership.