TN Assembly polls | I have not said anything that violates MCC, contends DMK’s A. Raja

Responding to a notice issued by the Election Commission of India over his remarks towards Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, DMK deputy basic secretary A. Raja on Wednesday maintained that he had not said anything that violated the Model Code of Conduct. Mr. Raja said he had not said anything that violated the Model Code of Conduct — anything that was obscene or that would decrease the dignity of motherhood, of girls — a lot much less some other provision of the legislation.

In his interim reply to the Chief Election Commissioner via the Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Raja requested the Commission to furnish a duplicate of the complete textual content of his alleged speech, a duplicate of the criticism most popular by the AIADMK on March 27 and in addition to present him a possibility to present an in depth reply and a private listening to along with his advocate. His advocate submitted his reply to the Chief Electoral Officer in Chennai.

Referring to the ECI discover, which said that a case has been registered for the alleged derogatory speech by the Central Crime Branch, Chennai beneath Sections 153, 294 (b) of the IPC and 127 of the Representation of People Act 1951, Mr. Raja contended: “A thorough and unbiased investigation will bring out the truth and will prove that I am falsely accused of making derogatory comments. Moreover, any findings or suggestions which is going to be made by ECI will substantially prejudice me in the ongoing investigation.”

Mr. Raja additionally identified that he has not been served a duplicate of the criticism, which was referred to within the ECI discover. “Hence, I am not in a position to know what is alleged against me. Hence, I am not able to reply to those allegations. I request the Commission to supply a copy of the same to make my reply.” He additionally requested the Commission to get a duplicate and take into account the complete textual content of his whole speech. “If it is done it can be discerned that the allegations made now are taken out of context and blown out of proportion to have political mileage.”

Also Read: A. Raja apologises for remarks on CM, says they were “taken out of context”

In Tamil oratory, simile was a well-accepted norm, he argued and said: “In my speech, the evolution of the political heights and their means of Mr. M.K. Stalin and Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswami were compared by me through a simile as newborn babies for easy understanding of the common mass. This was in response to the repeated allegations of the Chief Minister that our leader Mr. M.K.Stalin has never worked hard to become the leader.”

Mr. Raja additionally recalled giving his rationalization over the topic to the press on March 27, “when AIADMK and BJP started falsely propagating” that he had insulted the CM. In spite of the reasons, “the CM Minister quoted my speech out of context and became emotional,” Mr. Raja contended. In one other press convention on March 29, he said that he had expressed his apology to the CM. “If it is misconstrued and misunderstood, I expressed my apology. I hope and believe the matter rest there.”