Will meet Governor if govt loses MLAs’ support, warns Stalin

Addressing the media after inspecting a tank at Thandalam near Poonamallee where desilting works have been completed, he said, “It is conspicuous that the AIADMK factions have been multiplying and MLAs are expressing opinions in different tones. Previously, there were only two factions, but recently things are taking an ugly turn and factions after factions are emerging.” 

“If Chief Minister Palanisamy loses the support in the Assembly, the DMK will meet the Governor,” the Leader of Opposition stressed. With the merger talks between the two groups led by former chief minister O Panneerselvam and Chief Minister Palanisamy yet to happen, party’s deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran’s release on bail had churned the equations in the ruling party. 

Totally, 32 MLAs have expressed their support to Dinakaran, putting the Chief Minister in a tight spot. The confusion within the ruling party may give an upper hand to the Opposition in the ensuing Assembly session in confronting the government on different serious issues.   

When his attention was drawn to the July 17 Presidential election, Stalin said that a meeting had already been conducted in this regard by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. 

“After the BJP announces its candidate, the opposition parties will take a call on a common candidate,” he added. Quoting a state minister’s statement as proof, Stalin accused the Centre of remote-controlling the state. He also blamed the state for not undertaking desilting works in waterbodies for the last six years. 

“After DMK members took up such works, the ruling party woke up from its slumber and allotted funds. Pointing out that the Chief Minister started the desilting of Mettur dam, he said the work at the facility was not progressing at the right pace.