Beleaguered deputy general secretary of AIADMK (Amma) T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Friday proclaimed that he will go to any length to protect the interests of the party.
Asked about the resolution passed by the Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami faction that none of the announcements made by Mr. Dhinakaran would be binding on party cadre, he said he would not respond to “irresponsible” statements made by “some people.” “But when situation demands, I would effectively discharge my duties as the party deputy general secretary to take firm and decisive measures,” he added.
Committed to party
When asked whether he had been invited for the swearing-in ceremony of Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, Mr. Dhinakaran said he had not received any invitation and sarcastically told the media that they could construe that Mr. Palaniswami and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam represented them in the ceremony.
Contending that he has been in the AIADMK since he was 23 and the party was his life and breath, Mr. Dhinakaran asserted that he would go to any length to protect the interests of the AIADMK. He would decide on the strategy to be adopted in the Assembly if and when DMK working president M. K. Stalin moved a no-confidence motion against the State government.
He claimed that many ministers had confided with him that they could not come out openly in support of him due to fear. “Some people are threatening the ministers,” he alleged.
Asked if his uncle Dhivakaran would be inducted into the party, he said only the jailed party leader Sasikala could decide on it.
On the merger of the AIADMK factions, Mr. Dhinakaran observed that only the media was discussing the possibilities of merger talks between the faction leaders in New Delhi and added that he did not have any idea on the issue. “I hope the party would retain power in the next Assembly elections too,” he said.
Asked whether the present government would complete its term, he retorted: “Pose the question to the Chief Minister.”
