MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Sunday described as “uncalled for, unwarranted and unfortunate”, the recent poser of the Madras High Court as to why the body of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa should not be ordered to be exhumed to clear the “mystery” surrounding her death.
“Justice Vaidyanathan (who reportedly made the observation) has exceeded his limits. What evidence does he have to make such an observation,” Mr. Vaiko asked at his customary New Year press conference at the MDMK headquarters ‘Thayagam’ here. He claimed that some judges of the Madras High Court had told him that they felt hurt by the remarks.
Mr. Vaiko wondered whether the court could raise such doubts about Jayalalithaa’s death when her funeral had been attended by the President and Prime Minister, among a host of VVIPs. When questioned as to how the government could afford to remain tight-lipped on the health condition of the then-Chief Minister and spurn the demand of political parties and the people that at least her photographs be released, Mr. Vaiko contended that Jayalalithaa would not have liked to show her exhausted face to the people while in hospital. “Of course, photographs of her political mentor and former Chief Minister MGR were released while he was hospitalised in the United States. She would have decided against releasing her photographs,” he said.
The MDMK chief also came down heavily on former Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao, accusing him of pontificating like a politician. “The CBI may not inquire into a case without a specific direction. But the Income Tax department can conduct raids anywhere when it is equipped with evidence. Mr. Rao has exceeded his limits and unnecessarily dragged Jayalalithaa’s name in his support,” he charged.
Mr. Vaiko, who was also the convenor of the People’s Welfare Front (PWF) before his party pulled out of the alliance, refused to go into the details of what led to his party’s exit. “I do not want any debate on this issue. Our friendship with the communist parties and the VCK will continue. But elections are still far away to discuss about alliance arrangements,” he said.
Asserting that demonetisation had not adversely affected the common man, he said, “I am in touch with people on the streets and 80 per cent of them support demonetisation. Bitter medicine is inevitable when you are not well. All the campaigns against demonetisation are orchestrated by black money holders who have invested in assets. Mr. Modi will follow one step after another to eradicate black money.”
Welcoming the new secretary general of the United Nations, António Guterres, Mr. Vaiko said that he offered a new hope to the Sri Lankan Tamils and the creation of a Tamil Eelam as he had played a pivotal role in the creation of East Timor, once a colony of Portugal. “He had made an enormous contribution towards the rehabilitation of refugees across the world and only India failed to avail of the financial assistance in favour of the Sri Lankan refugees,” he said.
