Madurai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister EK Palaniswami said, the former Chief Ministers late MGR and Jayalalitha are treated the people of Tamil Nadu as their own children, because they have no children.

The two leaders considered the party cadre as their own family members. He inaugurated a temple for former leaders late MGR and Jayalalitha in Thirumangalam in Madurai district. Speaking on the occasion CM EPS said, recalling the ordeals faced by MGR during his childhood, Palaniswami said “the great leader brought the noon meal scheme in order to ensure that no child is left without food. His regime was the golden era”.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselavam said “late MGR and Jayalalitha sacrificed their entire life for the welfare of the people.” the DMK cannot dream about forming a government. “Just by taking ‘vel’ in your hand, you cannot take power,” he said. “Nobody can rule TN by entering through short-cuts”. The temple has been built by Revenue Minister RB Udhaya Kumar on a 12-acre plot, and features seven-foot tall statues of the leaders. Recalling the contributions made by both the former AIADMK chiefs, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said,

Panneerselavam said that AIADMK, as an organisation, believes in the power of people and god, both of which are in favour of the ruling Government. He added, with an eye on elections, the DMK, which disrespects gods and the believers, has been staging gimmicks. The Deputy CM said that the ‘Amma Government’ has introduced various welfare schemes in the past 10 years and has ensured that the people are happy. However, Stalin has been taking new incarnation each day to woo the voters, he said.

Further lauding Udhaya Kumar for constructing the temple for the leaders, he said, “People of TN have built temples for MGR and Amma in their hearts but Udhaya Kumar has built an actual temple”.