Insta
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Palaiswami Receives Support From Dinakaran Camp’s MP
TTV Dinakaran (Ravi Choudhary/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
In what could be seen as a boost to the K Palaniswami-led faction of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnethra Kzhagam (AIADMK), a party MP from the rival TTV Dinakaran camp today (22 September) switched sides to extend support to the chief minister.
M Vasanthi, the AIADMK MP from Tenkasi, alleged that Dinakaran, the party’s sidelined leader, had “aligned” with the Dravida Munnethra Kazhagam (DMK) to topple the “Amma government”, a reference to the AIADMK government.
Late chief minister J Jayalalithaa is called “Amma” by supporters.
“Is it fair for him (Dinakaran) to say he will topple this government by aligning with the DMK. He has been repeatedly saying that and we don’t like it. The 1.5 crore supporters of the party are agitated over this,” she said when asked about her switching sides.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Palaniswami here, she said the chief minister and his deputy O Panneerselvam will take forward the public work left behind by Jayalalithaa and continue to deliver the various welfare schemes.
“Amma worked selflessly for the people. How can that government be toppled,” she said.
The MP felt that the pro-Dinakaran MLAs staying at a resort in Coorg in Karnataka had been “imprisoned” and asked if it was fair to do so as they were elected to serve the public.
More persons might switch sides from the Dinakaran camp in the coming days, she said.
Dinakaran and Palaniswami are engaged in a tussle for power and the state has witnessed a number of episodes including the revolt by 19 MLAs against the chief minister and subsequent disqualification of 18 of them.
While factions led by Palaniswami and Panneerselvam had merged on 21 August, the very next day, 19 MLAs owing allegiance to Dinakaran had met governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, saying they had lost confidence in the chief minister.
They had sought his removal. However, one MLA later switched to the Palaniswami camp.
Since then, opposition parties including the DMK, besides the Dhinakaran faction, have been demanding that Rao order a floor test of the Palaniswami government, saying it has “lost majority.”
Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Dhanapal had disqualified 18 MLAs on 18 September. They have since moved the court against the disqualification.
Dinakaran had earlier ruled out any direct or indirect pact with the DMK but has been asserting he will “send home” the Palaniswami government, accusing the chief minister of “betrayal.”
He has been accusing Palaniswami of “betraying” party chief VK Sasikala, saying she was the one who had nominated him to the top post following a revolt by then rebel leader Panneerselvam in February. PTI
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
