Taking a dig at former Minister V. Senthil Balaji, who joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) recently, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) co-coordinator Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday called him a “political merchant” who switched parties to suit his “business”.
“Even a chameleon will take time to change colours. But, he [Senthil Balaji] has switched five parties and has finally gone to the party he was initially in. So, he is a political merchant. He started his business here and then wound up. Then, he went to another party, the AMMK, he started but business did not do well. So, he went to the DMK,” Mr. Palaniswami said, addressing a meeting organised to welcome workers from Karur district, who joined the AIADMK from other parties.
‘No principles’
Mr. Balaji did not have any principles, Mr. Palaniswami charged, and pointed out that he forgot that it was former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa who made him a Minister. “ Amma [Jayalalithaa] wanted young blood in the party and hence she made him enter the Assembly and further made him a Minister. But, he forgot all that.”
Though the former Transport Minister eventually joined the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), which was working towards breaking the AIADMK and bring down its government, Mr. Palaniswami said, “You see, God did not allow even that and hence he is out of that party.”
There were many people like Mr. Balaji, who would come and eventually leave once their interests were served, the Chief Minister said claiming that efforts were being made by many to break the party and the government.
