Hitting out at his arch rival AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa for "not visiting flood-hit people," DMK president M Karunanidhi today said he would work to protect them and the state even when he crosses 100 years of age.
Stating that well-wishers were asking him why he was straining himself at the advanced age of 93, he said, "what to do? not at this age of 93, even when I turn 100, I will work for you."
Addressing an election rally here, he said,"now I am 93.. even when I turn 103, I will dedicate myself for the people, I will strain myself not for personal reasons, but for my people of the State who are dependent on me."
"I see you as my brothers, I think that I have a big responsibility of protecting people, even you (people and party workers) have such responsibility and all of us together should protect this nation."
Hailing the youth, he said they "are the backbone of the country," without whom a party or movement cannot run.
The nonagenarian said he was "exerting himself" even without worrying about his health and asked the people to think about it. "For me, I am not important. For me only you are important."
Asking who was ruling the State today and what was the reason for the State 'turning into a jungle', he said it was run by those "who do not think of the State, and who are only thinking about themselves."
Demanding to know if Jayalalithaa had discharged her duties as Chief Minister, he alleged that the December 2015 floods had badly hit the people, but she had not "moved out" of her residence.
"She did not go anywhere to render solace to the affected people. Only we started off to save the poor and ordinary.... only we went everywhere... She was never a Chief Minister who was worried about them."
Karunanidhi sought to know the reason behind it and answered it himself by saying she was under the impression that there was no one to equal her in the state and that she could achieve anything.
He alleged that the AIADMK government had not fulfilled its electoral promises and took a dig at them by saying there was "no use" in depending on them.
