CHENNAI: DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant on Thursday fumed over media reports suggesting that the BJP and AIADMK have earmarked six Assembly constituencies for the party, cursing that anyone who had floated such a speculative list was only heading towards political ruin.
Addressing reporters after hoisting the party flag at the DMDK headquarters in Koyambedu, Premalatha questioned the authenticity of the reports and asked who had officially released such a list. "Did the AIADMK issue it or the BJP? If it was not an official announcement, why was it projected as fact?" she asked, accusing television channels of amplifying unverified social media content for ratings. She warned that public trust in the media would erode if such practices continued.
Premalatha reiterated that the DMDK's alliance decision would be based solely on the will of its cadre. "We will align only with those whom our workers point to. A clear announcement on the alliance will be made only after the January 9 party conference in Cuddalore," she said.
She added that invitations for Vijayakant's second death anniversary would be extended to all political parties, including the DMK, AIADMK, BJP, NTK and TVK.
Premalatha Vijayakant said that late DMDK founder Vijayakant had been celebrating Christmas for decades, long before it became a political spectacle, in a veiled dig at TVK chief actor Vijay, who celebrated the festival recently. "Captain began celebrating Christmas from his childhood and continued the tradition for over 20 years as a political leader. He studied in a Christian school and lived a life rooted in inclusiveness," she said.
Taking a veiled swipe at TVK president Vijay, Premalatha remarked that those who were born yesterday have suddenly started celebrating Christmas after floating new parties.
Earlier, Premalatha and party treasurer LK Sudhish took part in Christmas celebrations at the party office, distributing welfare assistance and sweets to children and the public. Sudhish announced that food would be served to at least 25,000 people across Tamil Nadu on December 28, marking Captain's second death anniversary.