Was using simile, didn't lower dignity of women: DMK's A Raja on EC notice

DMK leader A Raja on Wednesday, responding to an Election Commission notice, denied making derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami during campaigning for the Assembly election.

DMK leader A Raja on Wednesday, responding to an Election Commission notice, denied making derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palswami during campaigning for the Assembly election.

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued a notice to Raja stating that it viewed his recent remarks as derogatory and obscene.

In his response, the former union minister said that he had used a simile in his speech.

"In Tamil oratory, the simile is a well-accepted norm. In my speech, evolution of the political heights and their means of MK Stalin and Edappadi Palsamy were compared through the simile of newborn babies for the easy understanding of the common masses," Raja said in his response.

He also clarified that he had said this in response to Palsamy's repeated allegations of the Chief Minister that Stalin had never worked to become a leader.

"..If the full text is considered by the committee, I am hopeful that it will wipe out the insult and consequent injury inflicted on me," he added.

Earlier, while speaking at a poll campaign at Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, Raja had said, "While Stalin was born out of a legitimate relationship and through a normal delivery, Palswami was born out of an illicit relationship and through a premature delivery."

Raja later apologised for the objectionable comment about Palswami and his mother. "In Cuddalore yesterday, I explained that I did not speak ill about Edappadi K Palswami or his mother. I did so as I am the eighth child of my mother. I came to know through media that CM was hurt. I apologise for the speech which was taken out of context," Raja said.

The Election Commission had, on Wednesday, asked Raja to explain his stance over his remarks against Palswami's mother after Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo sent a report to the ECI regarding the DMK leaders "derogatory remarks".

This comes ahead of the 234-members Tamil Nadu assembly elections that will be held in a single phase on April 6. The counting of votes will be done on May 2.

Ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is contesting the poll in a pre-poll alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Paattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).

The term of the fifteenth Legislative Assembly in Tamil Nadu is ending on May 2, 2021. As many as 6,28,23,749 electors will choose candidates for the sixteenth legislative assembly in Tamil Nadu.

( With inputs from ANI )