COIMBATORE: The fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), forced to announce a solo poll battle in the upcoming Assembly polls, has raised its first grievance over its drought in finding allies, with the party's senior leader KA Sengottaiyan taking a veiled dig at the BJP, accusing it of using its power at the Centre to destabilise alliance talks in Tamil Nadu.
TVK's high-level administrative committee chief coordinator Sengottaiyan on Tuesday accused the BJP of meddling in alliances, saying that talks of tie-ups with any party prompt immediate interference from Delhi.
Responding to a query by the media in Coimbatore on the possibility of expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam joining TVK, Sengottaiyan remarked that the moment discussions on alliances begin, ‘those from Delhi step in.’ “So, it's better to avoid talking about alliances,” he said.
Dismissing any disappointment within TVK over AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran joining the NDA, Sengottaiyan said Dhinakaran had initially intended to align with TVK but later changed his stance in view of the prevailing political situation, in a veiled reference to the BJP's pressure.
On speculation that PMK founder S Ramadoss was holding talks with TVK, Sengottaiyan said he, too, had received such information and added that ‘let good things happen’.
Responding to a query on Vijay’s criticism that AIADMK had forgotten CN Annadurai and gone into corrupt practices, the former Dravidian major's leader said both the DMK and AIADMK had forgotten Anna’s legacy. “I exited from AIADMK because the party had forgotten ‘Amma,’ ‘Thalaivar’ and ‘Anna.’ The party fails to carry even its own iconic leaders' pictures at party events, he said, referring to his first grievance against Edappadi Palaniswami, which ultimately led him to quit the AIADMK. "One shouldn’t forget their roots,” he added.
Referring to past remarks by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami at a poll rally that TVK’s flag was fluttering (in his public meeting), Sengottaiyan said it was EPS who made the announcement out of expectation, but the situation has changed.
Stating that AIADMK ministers and their IT wing should focus on exposing the DMK’s alleged wrongdoings, Sengottaiyan said instead they were targeting TVK, a newly formed party, referring to the 'Panaiyur Panniyar' scathing attack launched on Vijay. “This shows the AIADMK is functioning as DMK's B team,” he said.
On allegations of corruption, Sengottaiyan said court rulings had established his innocence. He claimed that several cases had been filed against him out of political vendetta, but the courts cleared him. He warned that legal action would be taken against anyone who continued to level such allegations against him.