MADURAI: Charging the police with filing false charges against AIADMK functionary P M Mannan, former Minister Sellur K. Raju said the party never intended to buy TVK MLAs to topple the government.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Mannan at the CCB office, Raju said Mannan and Mustafa are long-time close friends and call each other “maman” and “maithunar” (terms for maternal uncle and brother-in-law).

Explaining the conversation Mannan allegedly had with Mustafa, Raju said Mannan called him to ask about social media posts alleging that a TVK functionary, Kaniraj (Mustafa’s personal assistant), had demanded money to provide party posts in the Madurai Central constituency. Mustafa said he would talk to Mannan later, as he was travelling by train. Raju clarified, adding that this was the only conversation Mannan had with the MLA and that he had not engaged in horse-trading, as the latter claimed.

Raju said the Police Commissioner sent Mannan a notice on November 5, asking him to appear in person on November 7 to explain a complaint. “Then why have the police taken him away in the wee hours of November 6? He is neither a terrorist nor a drug smuggler. He has served the people. They are keeping him as if they were confining a terrorist,” he said.

He further alleged that the TVK government was using such tactics to deflect criticism instead of addressing people’s issues.

Raju said, “Our general secretary has not the slightest such thought. The AIADMK has won votes by meeting people directly and telling them about its achievements over 31 years in power. Even now, we have won votes by contesting alone. Therefore, we have no intention of capturing power through shortcuts.”

Commenting on the way the police were treating Mannan, he said that Mannan had already undergone bypass surgery and had health problems.