Sitting Cuddalore MLA G. Aiyappan, who was suspended by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party high command a couple of days ago, has joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
He enrolled himself in the AIADMK in the presence of its leader Jayalalithaa in Chennai on Sunday. The same evening he returned to Cuddalore and, after garlanding the statues of C.N. Annadurai and M.G. Ramachandran at Manjakuppam, joined the election campaign of AIADMK candidate M.C. Sampath.
Though not surprised by Mr. Aiyappan's action, the DMK circles were agog about talk of how it could affect the prospects of Ela. Pugazhendi, three-time DMK MLA.
'Invisible' Pugazhendi
During his campaign Mr. Aiyappan alleged that Mr. Pugazhendi had never identified himself with people's problems, leave alone taking steps to solve them. Whenever natural calamities such as floods and tsunami struck, those affected were sheltered in marriage halls and community halls. Mr. Pugazhendi never bothered to visit these camps to enquire about their well being. In the last five years Mr. Pugazhendi was not seen in Cuddalore constituency.
Ignoring all these, the DMK leadership fielded Mr. Pugazhendi, thereby sidelining him (Mr. Aiyappan) without reason and bringing to nought all the good work done by him.
Mr. Aiyappan said that certain leaders, who could not stomach his growing popularity, ruined his chances of running a second time for the Assembly. His suspension would be reflected in the election result not only in Cuddalore constituency but all over the district as he had a wide support base. Mr. Aiyappan asserted that he had not switched camp for power or pelf. Only after the elections the local DMK leaders would realise their folly of carrying stories and indulging in subterfuge against him, Mr. Aiyappan said.
