On Tuesday afternoon, hours after a court in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore sentenced nine men to life in prison - for raping and blackmailing eight Pollachi women multiple times between 2016 and 2018 - Chief Minister MK Stalin and opposition AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami began bickering.
In his first comments on the sentencing, the Chief Minister hailed 'justice for the atrocity' committed by the nine men. He also criticised the AIADMK boss for having "shielded" the rapists; the reference was to one of them, K Arulanantham, having been a party member.
"Justice has been served for atrocities committed by the wicked criminals, including the AIADMK functionary ... those sirs who tried to protect the guilty should feel ashamed..."
In January 2021, when Arulanantham was arrested, it was the AIADMK in power and Mr Palaniswami, or EPS, was the Chief Minister. The ruling party expelled Arulanantham, but not before Mr Stalin and the DMK, then the main opposition, claimed it had tried to protect him.
Fast-forward to today and Mr Stalin's barbs, the AIADMK reacted swiftly, pointing out its government had acted against Arulanantham and transferred the case to the CBI.
"It was I who arrested the gang and ordered the CBI probe," the former Chief Minister thundered, counter-attacking by pointing to the harassment of a woman at Chennai's Anna University, one of several recent sex assault cases the AIADMK (and the BJP) has used to attack the DMK government.
"All offenders in the case were arrested during previous AIADMK regime. Also, owing to the impartial probe by the CBI, justice has been rendered to the affected women today," Mr Palaniswami said on X.
The AIADMK had made similar charges against the DMK in the Anna University case, red-flagging photos of the accused, a roadside food stall owner, with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
READ | BJP Shares Sex Assault Accused's Photo With Udhayanidhi Stalin
The DMK then said the accused was a party supporter and not a member.
READ | "Anna University Rape Suspect Is DMK Supporter, Not Member"
Boosted by the verdict in the Pollachi sex assault case, the AIADMK has accused the DMK of running a failing government, one that does not encourage women to report rape or sexual harassment cases.
NDTV Explains | 9 Men, 8 Rape Survivors. The Pollachi Sex Assault Case
This latest squabble between the two Dravidian parties (and there will be more to come) plays out with an Assembly election due next year, and EPS is confident voter pushback over the Pollachi sex assault case and other instances of crimes against women, will lead to victory.
"The AIADMK will expose the DMK in 2026. Then, DMK will hang its head in shame."
Counting on its welfare schemes and formidable alliance, the DMK is aiming to retain power after next year's election. However the opposition is turning the spurt in sexual offences against women as a key poll issue.
The 2026 election is likely to be a straight fight between the DMK and AIADMK, with the BJP - which has traditionally struggled in the state - allied with the latter and the Congress the former. Actor Vijay too would make his electoral debut.
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