Creating divide for gain is cheap politics: Stalin

TAMIL Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday launched a scathing attack on opposition parties over the Karthigai Deepam row at the Thiruparankundram temple, charging that the creation of division for political gain is not spirituality but cheap politics.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Madurai

Stating that spirituality is meant to give peace of mind, harmony and unity and bring welfare to all, he said that creating division for someone's political gain and attempting to break social harmony is not spirituality. "Rather, it is politics, and that too a cheap and destructive kind of politics."

"In Tamil Nadu, the flame of equality lit by Periyar will continue to shine forever and no one can extinguish it. In 2026 too, with the same intensity and the same fire, the Dravidian model government will continue," he asserted during a function to distribute welfare aid at Kalaignar Thidal.

Addressing the row over the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Murugan shrine, he said the Paala Deepam was lighted at 6pm on December 3 at the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple hill as had been done for generations.