Striking a discordant note ahead of merger talks between the two factions of the AIADMK scheduled for Monday, former Minister and Aravakurichi MLA T. Senthil Balaji on Sunday demanded that a new Chief Minister be elected by convening a meeting of AIADMK MLAs after the proposed merger.
In a press meet at Vangal, he said that he was among the 122 MLAs who elected Edappadi K. Palaniswami as the floor leader of the AIADMK. However, he was not invited or consulted when Ministers met at the residence of Electricity Minister K.T. Thangamani a few days ago [to discuss the continuation of T.T.V. Dhinakaran as deputy general secretary of AIADMK (Amma)]. Similarly, most MLAs were kept in the dark on decisions taken at Mr. Thangamani’s residence, he alleged, adding that they were not informed about disowning Mr. Dhinakaran and the plan for merger.
Mr. Balaji said it was necessary to seek the opinion of all AIADMK MLAs on who should be the Chief Minister. Hence, a meeting of MLAs should be convened to elect a new Chief Minister once the two factions merge.
Reiterating his demand for starting construction work for a government medical college at Kuppuchipalayam in Karur, Mr. Balaji said that he had brought the issue to the notice of Mr. Edapaddi K. Palaniswami and that the latter had promised to look into the issue. There was no change in his plan to observe a fast on April 28, Mr. Balaji said, adding that he would go ahead with his fast even if the police deny permission.
Flays Thambi Durai
Hardening his stand against M. Thambi Durai, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Mr. Balaji alleged that he had not done anything for his Karur constituency over the last eight years. “He had not brought any scheme for the district but had been a stumbling block whenever other elected representatives brought schemes to Karur,” Mr. Balaji claimed.
Meanwhile, a group of AIADMK (Amma) functionaries led by Karur town secretary V. Nedunchezhian presented a petition to Superintendent of Police T.K. Rajasekaran, demanding permission to observe a fast on April 28 [the same day and at the same place where Mr. Balaji is planning to hold his fast] to protest against Mr. Balaji.
In a petition, they said the Kuppuchipalayam site was found to be unsuitable for building the medical college. Following this, the then CM Jayalalithaa laid the foundation stone for the college at Sanapiratti. But Mr. Balaji was creating trouble with an ulterior motive.
