AIADMK (Amma) “ousted” deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Wednesday alleged that some ministers and party functionaries were trying to capture the party through the back door, and warned that “danger is imminent for them, if they don’t follow the path laid out by Amma (Jayalalithaa)”.
He questioned the locus standi of Finance Minister D. Jayakumar who called him ‘Ettappan’(betrayer). “The same Jayakumar came with me to seek votes for me in R.K. Nagar. When he couldn’t come, his son came and campaigned for me. We gave him the Finance minister’s post and now he’s calling me Ettappan. If such people go and stand in front of a mirror, they will know who the Ettappan is,” he said.
Mr. Dhinakaran further said that it was important for the party to be in safe hands. “Only if the party is safe, can the government be safe,” he said. Stating that those in government should rule properly, he added, “The government is like a glass bowl in your hands. If it falls and breaks, do not blame us.”
War of words
Mr. Dhinakaran also took a jibe at Forests Minister Dindigul C. Srinivasan. “For 10 years, no one knew where he was. We only gave him the treasurer’s post (in the party). Let him resign from the post and then criticise us,” he said.
“It would be a disgrace for Mr. Srinivasan and others in the Palaniswami camp if I release photos of the Forests Minister prostrating at Sasikala’s feet. In fact, he came to fall at my feet as well after we gave him the post of the treasurer. But I told him he was elder to me. If I release all these photos, it would be bad for them,” he said.
In Cuddalore, Mr. Srinivasan said it was true that he fell at Sasikala’s feet when he was made the party treasurer. “It was out of respect. In the same way, when Dhinakaran became deputy general secretary, he fell at mine and (School Education Minister) Sengottaiyan’s feet as well. If he wants, let him release those photos as well.”
