Edappadi K Palaniswami projects himself as God in govt ads

Venerating late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, AIADMK cadres have left no stone unturned to depict her in various avatars including that of Virgin Mary and Maa Annapoorana (the goddess of food), in posters. Now, to be a step ahead in the game, her successor, incumbent Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami released government advertisements projecting himself as God.

In the new advertisements on creation of job opportunities released by the government in cinemas last week, a temple priest asks a woman whom she wants to offer her prayers. She names Palaniswami whom then, saying she regards him as God.

After the advertisement drew flak from social media users, DMK and PMK also criticised the government ad. DMK's IT wing released a video questioning the government's claim of creating new job opportunities. "As of now, 89 lakh people have registered in the employment exchange seeking jobs, but the government claims to have created new jobs in the advertisement," it said, adding that in fact, there was a decline in job creation in private sectors due to the failure of the state government.

Pattali Makkal Katchi founder Dr S Ramadoss said, "The state has had some chief ministers who have said there is no God and others who have said God exists. But, this is the first time that a chief minister has proclaimed himself to be a God." Stating that nearly 1.5 crore youth in Tamil Nadu don't have a job, he asked, "Is there be any other state that is at the bottom when it comes to attracting investment?"

Pointing out that the state is reeling under a debt of over Rs 7 lakh crore, Ramadoss said that against such a backdrop, it is unacceptable that taxpayers' money is being used for such "selfish" promotions. "The advertisement is an insult to the people of the state and to the Gods, and should be immediately withdrawn," he said.