CHENNAI: The AIADMK has slammed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin’s Dubai visit. Former Chief Minister and party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami alleged that in the eyes of the people his trip was only a family picnic.

When I was the chief minister, I flew with the general public and was accompanied by the concerned departmental ministers only. At the time, Stalin, who was in the opposition, had called us ‘AIADMK picnic cabinet’. However, Stalin is now making foreign visits with his family, mocked Palaniswami.

Palaniswami also criticized Stalin’s inauguration of the Tamil Nadu pavilion at the Dubai Expo 2022, saying that “the event, which began on October 1 last year is set to conclude on March 31, is a pretext to visit Dubai”.

However, DMK leader and Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu dismissed the AIADMK’s claims saying that Stalin’s visit was not only to attract investments but also for the welfare and growth of Tamils working in the UAE and their families. The grand reception accorded to the chief minister is an evidence of the same, he added. Stalin’s Dubai visit was from March 24 till March 29.

Meantime, the DMK has sent a notice demanding Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai to pay Rs 100 crore as compensation for making false and frivolous remarks against the chief minister. An unconditional public apology was also sought from the leader. It is in this backdrop that the AIADMK has responded in the matter.