Minister for Forests C. Srinivasan stated that there was nothing wrong in installing the portrait of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the Assembly.
Talking to press persons before inspecting various development works here on Saturday, he said the DMK government was dissolved twice on charges of betraying the nation and large-scale corruption. Its leader M. Karunanidhi had not come to the Assembly for the past six years.
When his portrait could be displayed in the Assembly, what was wrong in having the portrait of Jayalalithaa, a leader of the masses and who worked for the welfare of people.
To a question on merger of two factions of the AIADMK, he said that both factions were ready for talks.
Madurai
There was no point in running the government if Jayalalithaa’s portrait could not be installed in the Assembly, said Madurai North MLA V.V. Rajan Chellappa of AIADMK (Amma) faction.
Speaking at a function in the Collectorate here on Saturday, in a veiled reference to Pattali Makkal Katchi, one of the parties that criticised the unveiling of Jayalalithaa's portrait, claiming that she was declared an accused by the Supreme Court in the disproportionate assets case, Mr. Chellappa said that the parties that were criticising now had once enjoyed the benefits of being an ally of AIADMK.
He also attacked Congress leader E.V.K.S. Elangovan.
Revenue Minister R.B. Udhayakumar and Cooperation Minister 'Sellur' K. Raju also spoke.
Benefits under the 'Thaaliku Thangam (Gold for thali)' scheme was distributed to around 300 women in the function, in which Madurai K. Veera Raghava Rao and ruling party MLAs from the district were present.
