AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi Palaniswami is reported to appear in the Chennai Egmore Court today as DMK candidate Dayanidhi Maran filed a criminal defamation case against Edappadi Palaniswami.
In a petition filed in the Chennai Egmore Magistrate’s Court, Central Chennai DMK candidate Dayanidhi Maran MP said, “At the election campaign meeting held by AIADMK on April 15th on behalf of AIADMK at Thana Street, Chennai Purasaivakam, when AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami was speaking in support of his ally party’s DMD candidate, he said, “A Dravida who is opposing our ally party candidate. Munnetra Kazhagam’s candidate contests for his own interest. As a Member of Parliament, he has not spent nearly 75 percent of the Parliamentary Development Fund.
This speech by Edappadi Palaniswami without examining the truth is untrue and has tarnished my reputation among the people. He has slandered me without any evidence. Edappadi has spoken in such a way as to spoil the reputation of the people of the constituency and the people of Tamil Nadu against me, who is working full-time to serve the public. This speech of Edappadi Palaniswami has caused a great loss to the reputation of me and my family.
Without any basic evidence, he has defamedly said that 75 percent of the constituency development fund has not been utilized by me. I told him that if he does not apologize within 24 hours, I will file a case in court. I have filed a criminal defamation case against him as he has not apologized for 24 hours.
Out of about Rs.17 crore in Madhya Chennai Parliamentary Constituency fund, only Rs.17 lakh is left. I have spent more than 95 percent of my constituency development fund. 17 crores have been allotted to my constituency. I have done many welfare programs for my constituency with it. Therefore, Edappadi Palaniswami, who had spread defamation, had demanded that defamation action be taken against him under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code.
This petition is coming up for hearing in the Egmore 13th Magistrate’s Court today.
Subsequently, it is said that Edappadi Palaniswami will appear in court.
