One more MLA, K. Pandiarajan, joined the growing list of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam legislators to meet Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to discuss constituency development issues and in doing so, like the others, sent an indication of his disenchantment with the party leadership.
Speaking to media persons after meeting Ms. Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat here, Mr. Pandiarajan said he submitted a ten-point development agenda for his Virudhunagar constituency.
The HR-consultant-turned politician, who over the past few days was widely speculated to switch loyalty to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), however, played it safe by stating he was "very much" with DMDK. When asked whom he would vote for in the Rajya Sabha elections, he merely smiled and gestured by placing his hands on the heart.
Wednesday’s development assumes significance as it comes in the backdrop of elections to six Rajya Sabha seats from the State, of which AIADMK is expected to clinch at least four.
The actor Vijayakant-led DMDK, which won 29 Assembly seats in an alliance with AIADMK, is yet to drop any hint of its strategy for the Rajya Sabha polls.
After the ties with the ruling party turned sour, the DMDK is progressively facing dissent. The six legislators from the party, after their meeting with the Chief Minister, were given different seats in the Assembly, behind the ruling party members.
Stating that his meeting was brief, but fulfilling and addressing Ms.Jayalalithaa, like her party cadre, as Amma, he said the Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the points made by him and assured to look into them.
The ten-point agenda of Mr. Pandiarajan, who is the founder of HR services company Mafoi, included request for a railway over bridge on Ramamurhti Road, Virudhunagar, implementation of integrated water resource management scheme and storm water drainage, setting up a medical college, improving infrastructure at the Virudhunagar government hospital and revival of Kausika river. In a statement to the media, he said in the last two years he did his best to raise issues both inside and outside the Assembly.
"But it was long struggle to realise my development vision I had for my constituency. I decided in order to effectively deliver the promise I have made to my people I need to seek assistance and support of the government. In this regard I met Chief Minister and submitted my requests relating to my constituency. As Chief Minister she is aligning all her forces to make Tamil Nadu the number one State in all development indicators. I have complete faith in her that she would consider my request and fulfil the aspiration of my constituency people.
