Even as AIADMK factions led by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and side-lined leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran are engaged in a bitter battle for control, Revenue Minister R.B. Udhayakumar on Thursday released two CDs containing videos showing the late Jayalalithaa praising Mr. Palaniswami and warning her party members against having any business with “one family” (alluding to Sasikala).
In 2011 Jayalalithaa had expelled her close aide V.K. Sasikala and over a dozen of her family members, including Mr. Dhinakaran from the party. Soon after this, addressing the party’s general council, she alluded to Sasikala and her family members and urged the cadre not to have any truck with them.
Citing this, Mr. Udhayakumar told journalists, “What is the condition of the family that (now) intends to capture the party and the government? You can understand from these CDs the position Amma [Jayalalithaa] had given to them [the family members]..,” he said.
Incidentally soon after Jayalalithaa’s death, Mr. Udhayakumar was the first Minister to conduct State-wide meetings of party workers and submit a memorandum to Sasikala urging her to take over as Chief Minister, replacing O. Panneerselvam.
However, on Thursday he said, there were attempts to create confusion in the minds of partymen and efforts to project an “individual” (Dhinakaran) but party workers need not be confused as the Chief Minister was efficiently guiding the government with complete blessings of Jayalalithaa.
To a query about his stand that Sasikala should be made the head of the party and the government, Mr. Udhayakumar said, “We were in a state of shock after Amma ’ s demise and we were not able to take a firm decision. So, we all were for a decision that would ensure continuation of Amma’s government.”
Throughout the press meet, the Minister didn’t mention Sasikala by name. Even though he termed the situation as unusual, he said, “We are clear now. We want to ensure that the Amma’s government is protected.”
Calls them brothers
Answering a query, the Minister called those in the Dhinakaran faction as “brothers” and went on to say V. Senthil Balaji, P. Palaniappan, Thangatamilselvan and Vetrivel had qualities to become Ministers. “All 19 of them there have qualities to become Ministers as they were trained by Amma. But, chances can be given within certain rules. The Chief Minister would certainly give chances eventually.”
The Minister said he was for holding talks with them. To a query on why Sasikala, who made Mr. Palaniswami the Chief Minister, was being sidelined now, Mr. Udhayakumar said, “If she is with us now, there is no other thought” and there was a need for find alternatives in the prevailing unusual situation.
