Trichy: In an apparent tit-for-tat response, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has said that DMK chief M K Stalin, who referred to him as an earthworm, would disappear like a pest after the electionHe made the stinging remark while canvassing for AIADMK candidates NR Natarajan, S Asaimani, who are running for Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai constituencies respectively, in Mannargudi, Valangaiman, Kumbakonam and Papanasam on Sunday."Stalin is always saying that no one turns up for my campaign. You, the women, and the general public who gather here in huge numbers, under the stifling weather, are proof enough that I have a huge following. However, Stalin is not able to see,” Palaniswami said. He accused DMK of creating the sorry state of farmers and their distress in delta district. It was DMK that betrayed the entire farming community in the State."DMK is the root cause of the present problems of farmers in delta districts. The party betrayed the entire farming community. Despite the DMK being part of UPA government and ruled the state eight years ago, it has done nothing for the benefits of farmers. It has ignored Cauvery issue. It was the government of 'Amma' who did everything to get the water in Cauvery through a legal battle," he said."He says chief minister is an earthworm. Does he know the benefits of the earthworm? It’s a friend of farmer. Earthworms make the soil fertile. It is a friend of the farmer. Pesticide would chase out the pests. Like the pest, Stalin will vanish after elections," he said.

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