All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary J. Jayalalithaa on Wednesday said her criticism of the United Progressive Alliance government had nothing to do with the issue of electoral tie-ups.
“Whenever the Central government’s action was against public interest, the AIADMK never hesitated to voice its criticism. This has got nothing to do with electoral alliance,” she told reporters in Chennai.
Ms. Jayalalithaa was responding to reporters’ queries about her criticism of the UPA in recent days including her slamming of Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal for his statements against the Comptroller and Auditor General on estimates of losses due to 2G spectrum allocation.
Asked whether the “doors were shut” on the AIADMK-Congress alliance, she shot back saying “I never said there was an alliance,” and refused to talk further on the issue.
Ms. Jayalalithaa had made a sensational offer in November last year to extend the AIADMK’s support to the Congress in the event of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s exit from the UPA on the issue of taking action against former Telecom Minister A. Raja.
She described as “highly condemnable” Mr. Sibal’s criticism of the CAG estimates of 2G spectrum losses and said it was against the Constitution, as the CAG was a Constitutional authority.
Mr. Sibal’s remarks amounted to contempt of court as the Supreme Court was looking into the case based on the CAG report, she said.
Slamming the DMK for “failing” on various accounts including “deteriorating” law and order, power cuts and price rise, she said the “anti-people and autocratic dynasty” rule will be overthrown in the coming elections due in May.
“Overall, there is no safety to life and property and police is not acting against incidents of crime that has become daily affair,” she said, adding, her party will take these issues to the people.
“No matter what the freebies the ruling DMK has given so far or will give in the future, people are fed up with the life they are forced to lead and they want the AIADMK to come to power,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said.
On alliances, she said the AIADMK was in talks with some others and she will come out with details at the appropriate time.
She declined to comment on queries over alliance with the Desiya Murpoku Dravidar Kazhagam, floated by actor-politician Vijayakant.
Condemning the recent fuel price hike, she said the AIADMK, the Left parties and the TDP will meet in New Delhi soon to chalk out the strategy for a major protest.
