The election fervor has spread across Tamil Nadu with just 16 days remaining for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Despite the BJP finalizing its alliance quietly as the last one, it is strategically steering the momentum in its favor by staying in the spotlight. Recently, discussions in Tamil Nadu have centered around Katchatheevu, a small island ceded by India to neighboring Sri Lanka. The Tamil Nadu BJP President’s acquisition of RTI information has brought to light the reality of how the tiny island was handed over to Sri Lanka by the Congress-DMK alliance, breaking the narrative that had been upheld for 50 years.
This exposure of their conspiracy has dealt a significant blow to them, as incumbent MPs and MLAs are already facing intense scrutiny from the public regarding their unfulfilled promises wherever they go. On 1 April 2024, Dayanidhi Maran, the current MP representing the DMK in the Central Chennai constituency, campaigned for re-election in the same constituency campaigned in Kodambakkam, Nungambakkam, and surrounding areas. His daughter, Divya Dayanidhi Maran, accompanied him in his efforts to secure votes for his candidacy.
The journalists seeking to interrogate Dayanidhi Maran regarding the revelation from the Annamalai RTI documents about the transfer of the Kachchatheevu island to Sri Lanka, and asked about the involvement of the DMK in the matter. Dayanidhi stuttered to reply, “DMK didn’t do it, the truth is that Congress did it without asking Kalaignar and MK Stalin has clearly spoken about this many times.” Soon after, he diverted the direction of his response, sidestepping the question of whether the accusations regarding the RTI were valid. Instead, he shifted focus to Prime Minister Modi’s affinity for the Tamil language post-elections. He queried whether, during Modi’s ten-year tenure, he remained oblivious to crucial matters such as the Kachchatheevu issue.
Then the DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, pointed fingers at Edappadi Palaniswami, insinuating that he too didn’t take any actions in their term but the issue is rising now suggesting politically motivated due to upcoming elections. When Dayanidhi was pressed by reporters about External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s statement regarding the consultation with the former chief minister of Tamilnadu (Karunanidhi) on the Katchatheevu island issue, Maran quickly refuted it, accusing the government replied, “NO this is wrong, As soon as the election comes, they immediately telling lies“. Then again Dayanidhi resorted to the same tactic instead of directly addressing the question, diverted attention to the delayed response to an RTI query on PM Cares Fund, and falsely claimed that the Ministry was withholding information about the PM Cares Fund.
Dayanidhi Maran was already frustrated by the persistent inquiries from journalists when they revisited the critique voiced by MP Anbumani Ramadoss, who remarked, “As soon as December comes, the people of Chennai are afraid, as the houses are surrounded by floods.” Dayanidhi Maran responded, “Just one request to Anbumani Ramadoss, we suffered in floods, did you come? Your house is in Chennai right, you may have come and seen all this flood right, Ramadoss, who did not come then, why is he talking now during the elections.” Infuriated Dayanidhi said, “You go and ask for votes for your wife“
DMK showing it's standard… pic.twitter.com/naisx8v9oC
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) April 1, 2024
கச்சத்தீவு விவகாரம்… பொய் பொய்யா சொல்றாங்க.. தேர்தல் வந்தா எல்லாம் நடக்கும்… தயாநிதி மாறன்!#Chennai #DayanidhiMaran #ElectionCampaign #DMK #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/Ij1rnMnhUu
— News Tamil 24×7 | நியூஸ் தமிழ் 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) April 1, 2024
Dayanidhi Maran has a history of criticizing individuals on a personal level. Previously, he has made similar comments when angered. For instance, he has disparaged Hindi speakers, suggesting they are only suitable for menial jobs such as construction work and toilet cleaning. In another instance, he made casteist remarks by expressing a sense of entitlement akin to a ruling class, stating, “They treated us like third-class people. What are we? Depressed class people?” Additionally, he also made derogatory comments about the profession of barbers.
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