Comment on mom: CM Edappadi K Palaniswami turns emotional, police book A Raja

CHENNAI: A day after the alleged derogatory remarks by Lok Sabha MP A Raja against chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s mother sparked a political furore, the CM on Sunday was moved to tears over the incident and the central crime branch police slapped a case against the DMK deputy general secretary.
While the chief minister, campaigning at Thiruvottriyur in the city, turned emotional and cautioned people on the safety of women if DMK were to return to power, AIADMK workers staged protests at several places across the state.
“I did not want to bring it up. But seeing so many womenfolk in the crowd, I am addressing it,” the chief minister said, while trying to control his tears. “If they can make such crass statements about my mother, despite me being the chief minister, then think of the safety of ordinary women in DMK rule, if they come to power,” Palaniswami said, urging the people to give appropriate verdict.
Raja has been booked under sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot) and 294b (foul language in a public place) of the IPC and under section Section 127 (Disturbances at election meetings) of the Representation of the People Act. The case has been registered based on a complaint by AIADMK advocate wing joint secretary Thirumaran.
CCB books Raja for derogatory remarks against EPS
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Chennai police have registered a case against DMK MP A Raja for the remarks he made in poor taste against chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
The DMK leader has been booked under sections 153 (provocation with intent to cause riot) and 294b (foul language in a public place) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under section 127 (Disturbances at election meetings) of the Representation of the People Act. The action is based on a complaint by AIADMK advocate wing joint secretary Thirumaran. The Ariyalur police too registered cases in Meensurutti and Kizhapaluvur police stations against Raja.
While speaking at an election campaign on Friday, A Raja, had made some derogatory remarks against Palaniswami, triggering protests by AIADMK and BJP workers across the state. The AIADMK urged the EC to debar Raja from campaigning for the ensuing election.
On Saturday, Raja claimed that his remarks were misinterpreted and that he had made the remarks in a political context and not with reference to EPS’s personal life. DMK president M K Stalin also appealed to his party members to keep campaigns and speeches dignified.
Protests by AIADMK and BJP cadres continued on Sunday. In Coimbatore, hundreds of AIADMK and BJP women’s wing workers beat photographs of the MP using footwear and also burned his photographs. They also condemned the DMK for making anti-women statements.
Addressing the party workers, Coimbatore South assembly constituency candidate from the BJP Vanathi Srinivasan said Raja must apologise for the remark. “The DMK leader’s family is involved in corruption but they sent a woman (Kanimozhi MP) to jail. They don’t know how to treat women. But the AIADMK and the BJP respect and worship women,” she added.
It was only a few days ago that DMK propaganda secretary Dindigul I Leoni made sexist remarks and body-shamed women at a campaign in Coimbatore.
In Salem, AIADMK’s advocates wing led by treasurer Kalaiarasi handed over a petition to the Salem city commissioner seeking stern action against Raja. Tension prevailed for a while in the city after a few AIADMK cadres attempted to burn an effigy of Raja.