DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday said both Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam had the responsibility to explain to the people of the state the reason behind the sudden death of Jayalalithaa after recovering well.
“It is in the mind of every one how Ms. Jayalalithaa, who was seen in good condition, suddenly died,” Mr. Stalin said while reacting to the video footage of Jayalalithaa watching television and drinking juice.
He said the footage had been released a day before the election to the R.K. Nagar constituency with ulterior and selfish motive.
“When it was claimed she held discussion with officials in Apollo hospitals, our leader Kalaignar demanded the release of the picture of the meeting. People wanted the release of footage after her death. They have made Jayalalithaa as a sacrificial goat even after her death to settle inner party problems and to divert the attention of the people,” Mr. Stalin said.
He said the controversy over her death could have been avoided if the footage was released earlier. “I was under the impression the AIADMK and its leaders were shocked by Jayalalithaa’s death. But I never thought they would stoop to this levels to politicise her death,” he said.
Asked why the footage was released at the time of election without handing over to the inquiry commission, Mr. Stalin said he had nothing to say as it was the duty of the Election Commission to take a decision.
“The Election Commission should show equal interest in the case of distribution of money to voters in the constituency. Even though we have made many representation, the Election Commission has not taken any decision,” he said.
