Noting that the AIADMK also had lost by-elections when it was not in power, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakant on Wednesday challenged Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to face the by-election to Sankarankoil Assembly constituency under President's rule in the State.
Reacting to Ms. Jayalalithaa's challenge whether his party was ready to contest the by-election without an alliance, the actor-turned-politician told reporters that the ruling party would go to any extent to win the election.
Mr. Vijayakant said Ms. Jayalalithaa herself complained against the usage of electronic voting machines in the elections when she was in the Opposition, but celebrated her victory after winning the local body polls.
Pointing out that the AIADMK had also lost the by-elections when the DMK was in power and its deposit in the Pennagaram by-election, Mr. Vijayakant said it was history that Ms. Jayalalithaa lost the election in the Bargur constituency as Chief Minister of the State. Stating that he raised his hands and pointed his fingers at the ruling party members because they behaved in a similar manner, Mr. Vijayakant said though he was the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly he was not allowed air his opinion on important issues.
He said DMDK whip Mr Chandhirakumar's argument was that the outcome of the election results would have been different if the State government had increased the prices of milk and bus. “DMK president M. Karunanidhi did not join issue with the AIADMK when its members called the DMK government a minority regime. But now instead of responding to Chandhirakumar's views, AIADMK Ministers were talking about something else. We are ready to face any consequences,” he stressed.
Later, the DMDK MLAs held a meeting to discuss Wednesday's developments in the Assembly. “We will continue to attend the session,” a DMDK MLA said.
Mr. Karunanidhi in a statement said the AIADMK always had a “special way” in treating the Opposition and it had adopted the same method while dealing with the DMDK. But he refused to comment on Ms. Jayalalithaa's remarks that she was ashamed of having an alliance with the DMDK.
