AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday claimed that Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin was not campaigning for himself to become the next Chief Minister. The idea was to make his son Udhayanidhi Stalin the next Chief Minister, he told a gathering near Tiruvottiyur Temple Car Street.

While canvassing for his party’s candidate K. Kuppan, he said people of the State would make the ruling party realise that there was no [political] space for the family [of Mr. Stalin]. Assuring the public that in the event of his party capturing power, the first act would be to eliminate the problem of drug menace, the AIADMK chief said the principle of rule of law would be followed.

While campaigning in R.K. Nagar, Mr. Palaniswami rebutted the assertion of Mr. Stalin that the electoral battle this time was between Tamil Nadu and New Delhi.  It was made clear at the time of formation of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that the AIADMK would head the coalition. When the NDA secured a majority, the AIADMK would establish the government, Mr. Palaniswami added.