War of words: ‘Tu Tu Main Main’ between AIADMK and DMK over health of Jayalalithaa

The long and well-documented rivalry between Tamil Nadu's two main political parties-AIADMK and DMK-is known to all and sundry.

Chennai, Nov 1: They are infamous for fighting ugly "political battles" out in the open. The long and well-documented rivalry between Tamil Nadu's two main political parties-AIADMK and DMK-is known to all and sundry.

At a time when the state's Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa, is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Chennai for more than 40 days now, a war of words has erupted between the Dravidian parties.

In the north belt of India, the political slugfest underway in the southern state would be best described as Tu Tu Main between the DMK and the AIADMK.

Tu Tu Main Main is a phrase in Hindi meaning arguments and bickering.

Since the AIADMK is trying its best to keep the health status of Amma a "state secret", the opposition party wants clarity on the matter to end growing speculations.

The AIADMK on its part accused the DMK of politicizing the CM's health.

According to a news report published by The News Minute, DMK President M Karunanidhi on Sunday compared his political rival's hospitalisation to his at the Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital in 2009, when he was Chief Minister.

"In a press statement, the 92-year-old leader stated that the then DMK government had announced that he would be undergoing a spine surgery and had gone to the extent of providing the names of the doctors performing the surgery. Taking a dig at the ruling AIADMK for not providing updates on Jayalalithaa's health, Karunanidhi stated that the first announcement about his hospitalisation came from his government, rather than the hospital," added the news report.

Replying to the questions raised by the DMK patriarch, CR Saraswathi, spokesperson of AIADMK, said Karunanidhi was politicizing Amma's health.

The AIADMK spokesperson, in return, asked "real information" on Karunanidhi's health. Last week, the 92-year-old politician was advised rest after he fell ill due to a drug-induced allergy.

Saraswathi also demanded photographic evidence of DMK chief's treatment, like the opposition party had asked for photographs of Jayalalithaa undergoing treatment in the hospital.

The AIADMK reiterated that Jaya is "perfectly fine".

The last health bulletin on Amma was issued by the hospital on October 21.

According to the medical bulletin issued by the hospital, Jayalalithaa is "interacting" and her health condition is "progressing gradually".

OneIndia News