DMK president M.K. Stalin on Sunday sought to defend the party’s decision to field heirs of party leaders in the Lok Sabha polls, saying that talented candidates could not be denied ticket just because they were son and daughter of party seniors.
Campaigning for the North Chennai Lok Sabha constituency candidate Arcot V. Kalanidhi and the Perambur Assembly constituency candidate R.D. Sekar in Chennai, he said the media could certainly question the qualification of the candidates, but should not resort to analysing their blood group. Recalling Arcot Veerasami’s commitment and dedication to the party organisation and its leader Kalaignar , Mr. Stalin said he stood firmly while many others gave in in the wake of intimidation from the police during the Emergency.
“We have given ticket to Dr. Kalanidhi not because he is the son of Arcot Veerasami, but because he is a committed party worker and functions effectively as vice-president of the party’s medical wing,” he said.
A.K. Bose case
Pointing out that the Court Order disqualifying A.K. Bose, elected from Thiruparankundram, on the ground the Chief Minister’s thumb impression was not genuine, Mr. Stalin said the court order had raised a question whether Jayalalithaa was alive or not at that time.
He promised to order a thorough inquiry into the circumstances led to the death of Jayalalithaa if the DMK was elected to power.
