A day after the launch of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), its founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Friday claimed that the AMMK was not a new political party, but a new name for the faction of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s jailed aide and his aunt V.K. Sasikala.
Clarifying this to the media, he said the Sasikala-led faction was known as the AIADMK (Amma). But, after the Election Commission said the faction could no longer use the AIADMK name, “We have chosen a new name with a new flag,” he said.
To a question on dropping the word ‘Dravida’ from the newly floated organisation, Mr. Dhinakaran contended that the word ‘Amma’ represented Jayalalithaa who, he believed, was Dravidian ideology personified.
The AMMK was only an interim arrangement till his faction retrieved the AIADMK from the ‘betrayers.’
He claimed that the AMMK would sweep the next general election to the Assembly and capture power in the State. “We said it before the R.K. Nagar election and we won it hands down. Similarly, we will win the Assembly election too,” he said.
On State budget
On the State Budget, Mr. Dhinakaran said ₹6,000 crore due for the State from the Centre mentioned in the Governor’s address found no place. Similarly, there was not much detail on ₹5,000 crore relief sought for Ockhi cyclone from the Centre.
While the AIADMK leaders were claiming that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who helped unification of two factions led by O. Panneerselvam and Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Mr. Dhinakaran said the Chief Minister should use his proximity with the Prime Minister and ensure the formation of the Cauvery Management Board.
