‘EPS is not even worth Stalin’s slippers,’ Corrupt DMK leader A Raja insults Tamil Nadu CM ahead of elections

DMK’s corruption ‘Hall-of-Famer’ A Raja stirred a fresh round of controversy on Saturday by making obscene and vile remarks against current Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) ahead of the assembly polls.

While campaigning for DMK’s Thousand light constituency candidate Dr N Ezhilan, Raja made the rasping comments that show how morally bankrupt the DMK leader is despite amassing a fortune through the 2G scam. In a video that has since went viral on the social media platforms, Raja can be seen comparing DMK chief MK Stalin to EPS and drawing an analogy that Stalin was a true leader as he was born of pure blood and by legitimate means whereas “EPS was like a premature baby born out of an illegitimate relationship.

Raja did not stop foul-mouthing EPS and continued with his verbal diarrhoea by comparing CM EPS’ worth to MK Stalin’s ‘slippers.’

“Till the other day, Edappadi Palaniswami worked in jaggery market, how can he be competition to Stalin? The value of Stalin’s chappal is more than you by one rupee. And he dares Stalin to challenge him?” Raja can be heard saying in the video.

After AIADMK filed a complaint to the Election Commission (EC), the Chennai police booked A Raja for violating the Moral Code of Conduct, inciting violence, and using obscene language. The DMK pottymouth leader has been charged under Section 153 and Section 294B of the Indian Penal Code.

Read more: Know your Candidate: A Raja from DMK

After facing the heat from the public for his callous remarks, A Raja, instead of owning up his mistake, called the video edited and said that he was merely trying to compare the political career trajectories of the two leaders.

“Stalin evolved as a leader through a series of steps, while Edappadi K Palaniswami rose to power through a series of shortcuts. I was trying to draw a picture of the way both have risen in politics by comparing them to babies. The speech has been cut and edited to create a different impression. I did not have any intention to make derogatory comments about the Chief Minister. I was just making a comparison,” said A Raja.

Meanwhile, DMK chief MK Stalin has directed his cadres to be careful about their speeches and asked them not to make derogatory remarks.

“I urge you to keep in mind our party’s tradition and dignity when campaigning. Before success, everyone must remember that the path to success is also important. Speakers should not use derogatory language when campaigning. I urge you to refrain from uttering such words and also remember that the party will never accept such talk,” said Stalin in a statement.

The state assembly elections are scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 6 and it was earlier this month that BJP and AIADMK sealed the seat-sharing numbers for the polls. According to the arrangement, BJP will contest from 20 seats of the total 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly whilst also fighting on the vacant Kanyakumari constituency after the demise of H Vasanthakumar of the Congress.

Sensing that the coalition is storming back to power once again, an agitated A Raja has resorted to cheap theatrics to gain the spotlight and few measly votes. However, the controversy could prove to be the undoing of DMK as the popular votes and sentiment will sway considerably towards EPS.