Dhinakaran has support of 40 MLAs, claims Divakaran

Edappadi's 'minority government' will be brought down, says Sasikala's brother.

August 24, 2017 12:48 am | Updated 07:58 am IST - Thanjavur

Divakaran

Divakaran

V. Divakaran, brother of jailed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala, claimed on Wednesday that the party’s sidelined deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran had the support of 40 MLAs.

Mr. Divakaran reiterated his threat of bringing down the “minority government” headed by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and forming a new one under the leadership of P. Dhanapal, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Speaking to reporters at Kumbakonam, Mr. Divakaran asserted that the “minority government” headed by Mr. Palaniswami will not be able to prove its majority in the Assembly.

He said acting Governor Vidyasagar Rao’s action of administering oath to O. Panneerselvam as Deputy Chief Minister was “wrong”.

He said the video clippings depicting his sister Sasikala walking out of the Parapanahara prison were “doctored.”

Later, talking to reporters at Sundarakottai near Mannargudi in Tiruvarur, Mr. Divakaran said an “unstable” government was functioning in Tamil Nadu.

Since the Dhinakaran faction enjoyed the support of 40 MLAs, any delay on the part of the Governor (to convene the Assembly for floor test) would only lead to horse-trading.

It was only to avoid such a situation that 19 MLAs had voluntarily come forward to stay at Puducherry, he further claimed.

Tension in Mannargudi

Meanwhile, tense moments prevailed outside AIADMK office in Mannargudi after some party cadre tore the photograph of Sasikala.

They also burnt an effigy of Mr. Dhinakaran and raised slogans against him and Mr. Divakaran. The protest was witnessed on a day when Mr. Dhinakaran announced the removal of Minister R. Kamaraj from the post of Tiruvarur district secretary.

Loyalists of Mr. Dhinakaran raised slogans against Mr. Kamaraj . Police personnel were deployed at Mannargudi to prevent clash.

Supporters of Mr. Kamaraj also burnt an effigy of Mr. Dhinakaran at Tiruvarur.

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