Mon Sep 01 17:30:42 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) is accusing the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu of shielding the Mayor of Madurai, Indrani Pon Vasanth, in a large property tax scam involving the Madurai Corporation. EPS alleges the scam, worth ₹200 crore, couldn’t have happened without the Mayor’s involvement, despite the arrest of her husband and several officials. He also criticized the DMK for corruption in other local bodies and for failing to fulfill promises regarding rural employment, and emphasized AIADMK’s past achievements in agriculture, farmers’ welfare, and education. He made these accusations during his “Makkalai Kaappom, Thamilagathai Meetpom” campaign.

**News Article:**

**AIADMK Leader Accuses DMK of Protecting Madurai Mayor in Property Tax Scam**

**Madurai, September 1, 2025** – Edappadi K. Palaniswami, General Secretary of the AIADMK, has launched a scathing attack on the DMK government, accusing it of attempting to protect Madurai Mayor Indrani Pon Vasanth in connection with a multi-crore property tax scam. The allegations were made during Mr. Palaniswami’s “Makkalai Kaappom, Thamilagathai Meetpom” (Let’s Protect the People, Let’s Retrieve Tamil Nadu) campaign, addressing large gatherings in Tiruparankundram and Tirumangalam on Monday.

Mr. Palaniswami highlighted the alleged ₹200-crore property tax scandal within the Madurai Corporation, which has already led to the arrest of several retired and serving officials, including the Mayor’s husband, Pon Vasanth. “How can Pon Vasanth indulge in irregularities in Madurai Corporation without the cooperation of the Mayor?” Mr. Palaniswami questioned, suggesting the Mayor’s direct involvement in the scam. He accused the DMK government of staging a drama by arresting others while shielding the Mayor from accountability.

The AIADMK leader pledged that if his party returns to power, a thorough investigation would be launched into the property tax scam, and legal action would be taken against all those involved.

Mr. Palaniswami also broadened his criticism to include corruption in other local bodies across the state, alleging infighting among DMK councillors over the proceeds of corrupt practices.

In addition to the corruption allegations, Mr. Palaniswami criticized the DMK for failing to uphold its promises regarding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), claiming that the number of job days had been reduced and that workers were not being paid properly. He contrasted this with the AIADMK’s track record on agriculture, farmers’ welfare, and education, pointing to initiatives such as farm loan waivers, crop insurance, and the establishment of new government schools. He claimed the current DMK government had closed 207 schools in the last four years.

The accusations come as political tensions rise in Tamil Nadu, with the AIADMK positioning itself as the primary opposition to the ruling DMK.

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