Latest news with #Kamaraj
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Stalin urges calm after DMK MP's remark on Kamaraj sparks row
CHENNAI: Amid strong reactions from Tamil Nadu Congress leaders to DMK deputy general secretary Tiruchy N Siva's comment about former CM and Congress stalwart K Kamaraj, DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday appealed to party cadres to 'avoid unnecessary debates' and not to give space to the intentions of evil-minded people who want to foment trouble.. 'Let's avoid futile discussions. It is not right to have controversial discussions in public about such a great leader and a pure Tamilian. Any opinion should be shared in a way that protects the dignity of respected leaders,' Stalin said in a post on 'X'. Speaking at an event on July 16, Rajya Sabha MP Siva, while trying to explain about the bonding between Kamaraj and DMK patriarch K Karunanidhi, said the former had a health problem that required him to be in air-conditioned rooms and hence the then CM Karunanidhi arranged AC facility in all government guest houses across the state. He also said that Kamaraj, during his last days, held the hands of Karunanidhi and urged him to 'protect democracy'. The remark was seen by many as an affront to the legacy of the Congress leader known for his impeccable integrity, simplicity and austere life. Several TNCC leaders, including president K Selvaperunthagai and MPs S Jothimani and Manickam Tagore, slammed Siva and demanded an apology from him after the video of his speech went viral. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, too, condemned the remarks. Palaniswami alleged that though the events surrounding the passing away of Kamaraj have been recorded meticulously, Siva has dared to utter a blatant lie by claiming that Kamaraj hailed Karunanidhi by holding his hands. Vijay's TVK and Seeman's NTK also jumped in to attack the DMK for 'insulting' Kamaraj.
The Print
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘Kamaraj couldn't sleep without AC': Tiruchi Siva's claim has Congress fuming, ally DMK in damage control
At a DMK public meeting in Perambur 15 July, Siva purportedly said Karunanidhi told him that Kamaraj would not be able to sleep without an air conditioner owing to his skin allergy. While Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K. Selvaperunthagai and Congress MP Jothimani condemned the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Rajya Sabha MP for his comments, Opposition AIADMK and BJP latched on to his statement to drive a wedge between the two parties. Chennai: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva's claim that former chief minister K. Karunanidhi once told him that Congress stalwart K. Kamaraj would get an allergy if he did not sleep in an air-conditioned room has sparked unease between INDIA bloc allies Congress and DMK. In a social media video, Siva could be heard purportedly saying, 'When I was around 23 or 24, Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) would take me in his car and recount some events. Some people would question why he was telling these things to a young kid. But he knew I would speak about them in public meetings and convey them effectively to people.' 'He would tell me many such stories. One day, he told me this, 'Kamarajar has organised condemnation meetings all over Tamil Nadu against electricity shortage. Kamarajar would get an allergy if he didn't have air conditioning'. So, he (Karunanidhi) ordered that all the visitors' bungalows where he stayed be equipped with air conditioning,' Siva said in the public meeting at Perambur. Siva's statements sparked a backlash as many saw it as a distortion of Kamaraj's legacy and simplicity. Former BJP president K. Annamalai said it was not a surprise that the DMK is attempting to disgrace great leader Kamaraj. 'Even when Kamaraj was alive, the late DMK leader Mr. Karunanidhi criticised him with derogatory words, and the nation knows it,' he said in a post on X on Thursday. Speaking to the reporters on Thursday, he also questioned if the Congress is ready to leave the DMK-led alliance in the state. 'Why is the Congress still silent after the DMK is making factually incorrect statements about K Kamarajar. Is the Congress ready to leave the DMK alliance? Is the Congress prepared to contest the elections alone to save its dignity,' he asked while speaking to reporters in Chennai Thursday. Condemning Siva, Congress MP Jothimani said such false claims and narratives were used to target the Congress stalwart during his active political career too. 'The whole world knows how Kamaraj lived and how much he had at the time of his death,' she told reporters in Karur Wednesday evening. In a post on X, she said Siva's remark was contrary to the truth. 'As a chief minister, he stayed in government guest houses, and if it was too hot, he would sleep under a tree on a cot. He was a simple man who even told his security personnel to rest and was accustomed to sleeping alone. The claim by brother Thiru Tiruchi Siva that Kamarajar would not sleep without an air-conditioned room is entirely contrary to the truth,' she said. She added that Siva's statement must be seen as a continuation of the myths propagated in the past with political malice against the leader. The DMK has often criticised the Congress stalwart through cartoons and remarks. Siva's comments, coming on the day Kamaraj's 123rd birth anniversary was celebrated across the state, have reignited tensions between the DMK and its ally Congress. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin stepped in soon and asked his cadres to not give any room to 'evil-minded people' to stir trouble in the alliance and revel in it. 'Let us all unite and work to fulfill the dreams of the great leader (K. Kamaraj) who dedicated his entire life to building social justice and secular harmony! Let us avoid pointless debates!' he said in a post on X on Thursday. He also recalled how rationalist Periyar alias E.V. Ramasamy once praised Kamaraj as a 'true Tamilian'. 'Peraringar Anna (former chief minister C. N. Annadurai) was the one who decided not to field a candidate against the great leader in the Gudiyatham byelection. When the great leader passed away, Tamil leader Kalaignar stood like a son, in making arrangements for the final respects, establishing a memorial and declaring his birthday as education development day,' Stalin recalled in his post on X. Siva also issued a clarification Wednesday night, saying he speaks passionately and emotionally about Kamaraj. 'There is a growing debate assuming that I spoke in a manner that tarnished the reputation of the great leader Kamarajar. Many are aware that even when I speak about leaders from opposition, I criticise them with decorum,' he said, asking people not to make his speech a subject of further debate. 'It is my usual practice to speak passionately and emotionally on various platforms about Kamarajar, who opened the eyes of people through education and served a guiding light for India by enabling children from poor households to attend school through the midday meal scheme,' he said. Also Read: Eyeing larger share of pie in seat-sharing talks, allies keep pressure on DMK ahead of TN polls Opposition gets fodder Opposition AIADMK criticised the Congress for 'not condemning' Siva enough for his remarks. 'Congress leaders should exhibit more spine in condemning. No true Congressmen would accept such a remark against the Congress stalwart and a man who is known for his simplicity,' AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan told ThePrint. Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan expressed pain over Siva's comments and condemned him and his party DMK. 'Kamaraj is known for his simplicity and integrity. He is a role model for politicians in the state. His tenure in the state is regarded as the golden period,' Vasan said in a statement Thursday. Meanwhile, actor-turned politician Vijay's TVK demanded a public apology from Siva for his 'false allegations'. 'Kamaraj is our ideological leader and he is a symbol of honesty and simplicity. Siva should seek a public apology. The TNCC will stay silent, but the TVK will not if our ideological leaders are targeted,' K. Arunraj, the TVK General Secretary said in a statement Thursday. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: PMK foundation day overshadowed by father-son feud as Anbumani Ramadoss pitches for share in TN govt
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong cadres protest MP's remark against Kamaraj
Trichy: Congress cadres on Thursday carried out a protest condemning DMK Rajya Sabha MP Trichy Siva for his alleged defamatory remarks against former chief minister and Congress stalwart K Kamaraj. More than 50 Congress workers led by general secretary Advocate Saravanan were detained while trying to lay siege to Siva's residence in Trichy's Raja Colony, defying police orders. They were held in the Vestry school grounds. Protesters raised slogans demanding an unconditional apology from the MP and criticized the DMK leadership for not taking disciplinary action against him. Trichy Siva had at a recent public event in Chennai said that Kamaraj would not sleep without air-conditioning during his rule and had urged Karunanidhi to save democracy before his death. Congress leaders termed the statement a distortion of history and an insult to Kamaraj's legacy. "We will meet Rahul Gandhi directly and make a request in this regard. Self-respect is important for a Congressman," Saravanan told reporters. "DMK MP Siva, who spread false news about Kamaraj, should apologize to Congress workers, and the DMK leadership. The DMK took action against Ponmudi's indecent speech, but why no action against Siva who defamed our leader," he added. Congress workers in Pudukottai also held a protest in front of the new bus stand demanding apology from the MP.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Can't Sleep Without AC…': DMK MP's Remark On Former CM Kamaraj Stirs Row, Later Clarifies
Last Updated: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva has stoked a controversy by saying that Congress leader and former CM K Kamaraj could not sleep without air conditioners. A political slugfest broke out within the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu after DMK MP Tiruchi Siva made controversial comments about former Chief Minister and Congress veteran leader K Kamaraj. The controversial remarks evoked strong denouncement from the Congress leaders while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urged leaders to avoid debates. Later, Siva clarified that he did not mean to tarnish the great leader's reputation. What's The Row? While addressing the party's meeting in Perambur on Wednesday, the DMK MP claimed that Kamaraj, though lauded for his simplicity, couldn't sleep without air conditioner. Siva had also claimed that the iconic Congress leader, during his last days, held the hands of DMK stalwart M Karunanidhi and had urged him to 'protect the democracy." Siva said that that was disclosed to him by Karunanidhi himself and that the then DMK government installed air conditioners in all the government guest houses. 'No one has the right to speak in such a manner about Kamaraj or even the right to criticise him," Selvaperunthagai said. Congress MP Jothimani too reacted sharply, saying Kamaraj was known for his honesty, simplicity and administrative skills. 'He was defeated in elections only because of the myths spread by the DMK. He (Kamaraj) travelled to every nook and corner of Tamil Nadu where there were no AC rooms or five-star hotels. As a chief minister, he stayed in government hotels and even slept under a tree when the heat was unbearable," she said. Annamalai's Jibe Adding to the controversy, BJP leader Annamalai on Thursday questioned Congress over their 'silence" on Tiruchi Siva comments. He also asked whether Congress will leave the DMK alliance and contest alone to 'save their dignity." 'Is Congress still silent after DMK speaking factually incorrect about K. Kamaraj? Is Congress ready to leave the DMK alliance? Is Congress prepared to contest alone to save its dignity?" he said. Stalin Urges To Avoid Debates Meanwhile, Stalin urged leaders to avoid debates, and 'to not give room to the intentions of evil-minded people who plan to stir trouble and revel in it!" He said that it is not right to 'controversial debates" in public about K Kamraj, 'a true Tamilian," as Stalin described. Siva's Clarification After a huge backlash over his comments, the DMK MP clarified that debates intensified as if he spoke in a manner that tarnished the reputation of the great leader Kamaraj. 'Many people know that I criticise with dignity even when I talk about leaders who are in the opposition. I usually speak passionately and emotionally on many platforms that Kamaraj was the eye opener for education and that he was the guiding force for India in introducing the mid-day meal scheme in schools to encourage children to attend schools," Siva said in a statement. He had great respect and admiration for Kamaraj, who was a freedom fighter, one who made sacrifices, served the people as Chief Minister and leader of the Congress party, and held a special place in everyone's hearts. 'I request everyone to kindly accept this explanation and not to make the message I conveyed in my speech a subject of further debate," he said. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Chennai, India, India First Published: July 17, 2025, 16:38 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Stalin seeks to put an end to row over DMK MP's remarks on Cong stalwart Kamaraj
Chennai, July 17 (UNI) Seeking to put an end to the ongoing row over some remarks made by DMK Rajya Sabha MP Trichy N Siva against late Congress stalwart and former Chief Minister K Kamaraj, which drew strong condemnation from Congress and other Opposition parties, DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin today appealed to all to avoid needless debates on this and instead strive to fulfill the dreams and vision of the late leader. Mr Stain also urged the people not to fall frey to those trying to gain political mileage out of the issue. In a post on X, he recalled that social reofmer Periyar hiled Kamaraj as a true Tamilian and DMK Founder and late CM C N Annadurai did not field a candidate against Kamaraj in the bypoll to Gudiyatham Assembly seat. Recalling all the arrangements made by late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi like a son for the last rites of Mr Kamaraj after he died, Mr Stain said it was Mr Karunanidhi who constructed a memorial for him and declared his birth anniversary as Education Development Day. Mr Stalin said he felt humbled when Mr Kamaraj, depsite his ill health, attended his marriage and showered his blessings. "I felt it as a honour", he added. Ponting out that Kamaraj had dedcated his life to social justice, communal harmony and secularism, Mr Stalin, without making any direct reference to the remarksmade by Siva, who is also the Deputy General Secretary of the DMK, observed that it was unfair to have any unnecesary debates about such a great leader and called for preserving his respect and dignity. Mr Siva's remarks has caused some heartburn among the Congress functionaries and wokers and resulted in unease in the Congress-DMK ties. Some of the congress functionaries also called for action against Siva and Lok Sabha MP Ms Jothimani said she would take up the matter with Mr Stalin. Opposition party leaders, including AIADMK, BJP, PMK, AMMK and other parties also condemned the remarks of Siva and sought to know whether the Congress was prepared to quit the DMK front for insulting Kamaraj. Talking to reporters, former BJP National Governing Council member and former State President K Annamalai said the DMK had no right to talk about the late leader, as it was responsible for defeating him in the 1967 elections. UNI GV 1925
