: Reiterating that the DMK had nothing to do with the “farcical drama and political comedy” playing out in the ruling AIADMK, Opposition leader M.K. Stalin on Wednesday urged the Tamil Nadu government to order a CBI inquiry into the allegation of Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam that he was compelled to submit his resignation by AIADMK general secretary V.K Sasikala.
“Ms. Sasikala targeted the DMK since her efforts to become the Chief Minister have failed. Her argument resembles her submission in the disproportionate wealth case that she was a benami to none. If she wants to understand that the DMK is in no way connected with the developments, she should learn the politics of Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Stalin said in a statement.
Reacting to her allegation that Mr. Panneerselvam remained silent when DMK deputy leader Duraimurugan extended support to him in the Assembly, Mr Stalin said he and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa too had exchanged greetings in the Assembly.
Mr. Stalin said it was part of DMK’s political culture and decency that he visited Jayalalithaa in Apollo Hospitals, paid his last respects and consoled Mr. Panneerselvam during her funeral. “Probably, Ms. Sasikala does not like the coordination that existed between the ruling party and the opposition for the welfare of the State. The AIADMK has become a laughing stock,” he said.
‘Govt. at crossroads’
Mr. Stalin said Mr. Panneerselvam had listed the humiliations he had been subjected to since he became the Chief Minister, and if Ms. Sasikala had the guts, she should respond to his allegations.
“ I want to make it clear that it was Ms. Sasikala and her family members who made use of AIADMK’s mouthpiece Dr. Namathu MGR, AIADMK Ministers and Lok Sabha deputy Speaker M. Thambi Durai to humiliate Mr. Panneerselvam. Ms. Sasikala could not stomach the fact that Mr. Panneerselvam participated in the Republic Day parade and had forced him to submit his resignation. The administration in the State is at the crossroads as the Governor has accepted his resignation,” he alleged.
