Alleging that both the factions of the AIADMK had surrendered and prostrated themselves before the BJP government at the Centre, DMK working president M.K. Stalin they were looking at a merger only as a means to escape punishment for their corrupt dealings.
“The continuation of the AIADMK government will not augur well for Tamil Nadu and its people. Since two corrupt factions are making pre conditions and agreement, the government will fall at anytime and there is no doubt about it,” he said in an interview to The Hindu.
He was also highly critical of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam claiming he had only revolted against Sasikala’s family and demanded a probe into Jayalalithaa’s death after he lost his Chief Minister post. Here are is the full interview.
As a leader of the opposition how do you look at the developments in the ruling party? People who swore allegiance to V.K.Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran until now have declared that they would oust the family to save the party. What is your view?
The DMK will not interfere in the internal affairs of other political parties and the ruling AIADMK is not an exception. But since Tamil Nadu has become a hub of protests and as the intra-party squabbles of the AIADMK have crippled the administration in the state, I am under compulsion to answer your question.
They are not planning a merger to win back the Two Leaves symbol or to protect the party. Those who are part of the two factions have created new chapters in the political history of Tamil Nadu when it comes to corruption and misuse of power. To escape from punishment for their corrupt deals and to cheat the people of the state, they are enacting a merger drama.
Some AIADMK leaders have complained that the BJP-led government at the Centre was pulling strings, and has a hand in the current political situation in the state. They also alleged that Income Tax raids, frozen of Two Leaves Symbol and filing of case against Mr.Dinakaran in connection with bribing to get the Two Leaves symbol were pressure tactics. Do you agree?
I think both the factions have prostrated and surrendered themselves before the BJP government at the Centre. A puppet show is being enacted using those who have surrendered and the country knows it well.
The Union Health Minister has made it clear that NEET is compulsory for Tamil Nadu and the Centre is saying that it will prepare the list of communities of Backward Classes. The Centre has cancelled the grant for sugar being supplied in ration shops. It has announced that Hindi is compulsory . But the AIADMK government has not paid any attention to these issues, or raised any objections.
My question is when a case is filed based on the statement of a habitual offender that Rs. 60 crore was paid to get the Two Leaves symbol, why then has no criminal case been filed after the Income-Tax department proved the involvement of the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleges in bribing voters to the tune of Rs. 89 crore and sabotaging the electoral process in R.K. Nagar?
The R.K. Nagar polls seem to have changed everything in the AIADMK. Do you think that the ground reality in the constituency might have had a role to play in the party members rejecting Mr. Dhinakaran? You also campaigned in R.K. Nagar. What was your feedback?
The R.K. Nagar constituency did bring about changes in the AIADMK (Amma) faction. But it happened, not because they could not get people’s support, or that the IT department had secured evidence of large scale bribing of voters. Even after that the change did not happen. They changed only after the Delhi police filed case in connection with giving Rs 60 crore bribe to get Two Leaves symbol. As I have said already the change is only to escape from the corrupt deals.
Do you think the present developments have strengthened the hands of O. Panneerselvam, who first revolted against Sasikala’s family and demanded an inquiry into the death of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa?
Mr. Panneerselvam did not raise his voice against the Sasikala family. After Jayalalithaa’s death, it was he who enabled the election of Sasikala as the general secretary of the party. He was the Chief Minister of the state when Jayalalithaa was in hospital and after her death. He could have appointed an inquiry commission.
You cannot suppress the fact that he was witness to everything. The death of Jayalalithaa is not an important issue to either faction. They are only interested in power and how to use it to earn money. They will be ready to serve anyone for the purpose. They merely use the death of Jayalalithaa as a tool for their political survival.
You will remember that Mr. Panneerselvan enacted a revolt drama only after losing his post.
If the family members of Sasikala were involved in corruption and had amassed wealth, would it have happened without the knowledge of Mr Panneerselvam who has held the posts of Chief Minister, Finance Minister, Revenue and Public Works Department Minister?
The AIADMK government once survived the trust vote. Now it is not clear whether the party enjoys a majority in the House. Do you have plans to move a no-confidence motion against the government?
The DMK did not accept the way in which the trust vote was conducted the last time. That is why we approached the High Court and we are waiting for the decision of the Court.
Will the proposed ‘coming together’ of the AIADMK factions affect the fortunes of the DMK?
You are joking. DMK is a movement of committed cadre. From Rajaji to Jayalalitha, those who sought to destroy the DMK, have failed in their attempt. It is now the main opposition party with 89 MLAs and we enjoy the support of the people. The coming together of the AIADMK faction will not even remotely affect the prospects of the DMK. We will sweep the polls whenever it is held.
What do you think about the sudden stalemate in the talks between the two factions of the ruling AIADMK?
They call it a dharma yutham (fight for justice). But the OPS team is resorting to adharma (injustice) to get a chance to rule the state again. The Edappadi K. Palaniswami faction is desperate not to lose the government and claims that it has expelled Mr. Dhinakaran. The objectives of the two factions are nothing but position, misuse of power, and exploitation. In their fight for the Chief Minister’s post they have become a laughing stock in the eyes of people.
On the appointment of a permanent Governor for Tamil Nadu...
There no difference of opinion that the state needs a permanent Governor when it is facing a severe crisis and the ruling party is indulging in major political gambling. I am not blaming the Governor and I have great respect for him. I know he was a member of A.B. Vajpayee’s cabinet, who was known as a statesman. He may not have the resources to manage two big states. Tamil Nadu needs a full-time Governor to deal with the sudden changes, to safeguard the people of Tamil Nadu and to uphold the Constitution.
