DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Sunday criticised the AIADMK’s decision to elect general secretary V.K. Sasikala as the leader of the Legislature Party, saying making her the Chief Minister was against the wishes of both late Jayalalithaa and the people of the State.
Addressing reporters in Tiruvarur, Mr. Stalin said: “When Jayalalithaa was jailed in the disproportionate assets case, she nominated only O. Panneerselvam as the Chief Minister. Even when she was hospitalised in the Apollo, she handed over her portfolios only to him.”
‘Against the wishes’
Mr. Stalin said Jayalalithaa had never given any post, either in the party or in government to Ms. Sasikala. “But today, going against the wishes of Jayalalithaa, and the people of Tamil Nadu, this development has taken place. We will fight this democratically,” he said.
BJP’s State president Tamilisai Soundararajan said the development cannot be seen as the AIADMK’s internal party issue. “Only a couple of months ago, the MLAs had elected Mr. Panneerselvam as the Chief Minister. What is the need for this development so soon?” she asked.
Tamil Maanila Congress president G.K. Vasan said it was imperative for the AIADMK to make it clear to the people the real reason behind electing a new leader.
“They should disclose to the people the need for changing the Chief Minister, who has been functioning for the past two months, in such a hurried manner,” Mr. Vasan said.
“It is an internal party matter. Democratically, whomever they want to select, they can do it. It is their right to select their leader,” TNCC president Su. Thirunavukkarasar, said.
Former TNCC president E.V.K.S. Elangovan slammed the move calling it a “black day” for Tamil Nadu. He said followers of MGR and Jayalalithaa would never accept Sasikala.
A big betrayal, says PMK
The PMK too hit out at the AIADMK. “It is a big betrayal of the people of Tamil Nadu who voted for Jayalalithaa as the Chief Minister. The party is now bringing in a totally unrelated person to the post,” party founder S. Ramadoss said. “It is a big question mark over the future of Tamil Nadu that the Chief Minister’s chair which saw the likes of Kamaraj and Anna, is now going to be occupied by a person who is facing various corruption charges.
“Just like 1991-96, Ms. Sasikala’s relatives are going to indulge in anti-democratic activities and people should live in fear that their homes and factories could be taken over by them,” Mr. Ramadoss said.
The Aam Aadmi Party said the people of Tamil Nadu should wave black flags on the day of Ms. Sasikala’s swearing-in to express their disapproval. “Supporters of MGR and Jayalalithaa, and all people who expect a clean and non-corrupt government should fly black flags in public places and their homes, on the day she takes over,” the party said in a statement.
However, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Dravidar Kazhagam and the CPI (M) welcomed the elevation of Ms. Sasikala. The VCK welcomed the decision as all the MLAs had unanimously elected her, its leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said.
“It augurs well for the State that she has been elected unanimously, and there will no longer be two power centres, eliminating any divergence in decision-making, while making her the main person responsible for all decisions,” Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani said.
G. Ramakrishnan, State secretary, CPI(M) while congratulating Ms. Sasikala said the party hoped she would take into account all opinions, especially those of the people of Tamil Nadu and run the government smoothly.
