Even as 18 legislators owing allegiance to ousted AIADMK deputy secretary TTV Dhinakaran stayed put in a seaside resort here for the second successive day, AIADMK cadres led by former party legislator Om Sakthi Sekar staged a protest outside the premises on Wednesday against the allegedly detention of legislators against their will.
Mr. Sekar, who claimed he was in constant touch with “certain legislators” staying in the resort, said he was optimistic that these legislators would abandon Mr. Dhinakaran and return to Chennai soon.
Mr. Sekar alleged that they were being forcefully put up in the resort and accused Mr. Dhinakaran of abusing money power.
“My humble request to the MLAs is to return to the party and join hands with EPS and OPS and strengthen the AIADMK,” he said.
Mr. Sekar also accused the ruling Congress-led Government in Puducherry of trying to facilitate the break-up of the AIADMK. Former MP M. Ramadoss was also present with Mr. Sekar.
Cadres burnt an effigy of Mr. Dhinakaran near the resort.
Apart from the protests, the premises of the Windflower resort in Chinna Veerampattinam remained quiet through the forenoon.
Barring Andipatti MLA Thangatamilselvan, who ventured out of the room for a morning walk, the legislators remained in their rooms.
The resort has, meanwhile, stopped accepting bookings for rooms. Of its capacity of 50-odd rooms, 19 rooms booked in the name of one Kishore from Chennai (said to be a friend of Mr. Dhinakaran) , are being occupied by the legislators. A sum of ₹ 2 lakh was paid to the resort as advance as early as Tuesday.
The resort is among the eight hotel properties owned by one Giri of Chittoor, sources said. The Windflower resort was bought from Mamachan, Kerala-based business partner of former Congress Minister E. Valsaraj.
