MLA Saravanan refutes TV channel charges

An English news channel had released the video in which Saravanan had allegedly revealed that the AIADMK MLAs, who were made to stay at Koovathur resort, were offered cash up to Rs 2 crore to vote for Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy in the Assembly. The video had sent shock waves across political circles. 

However, Saravanan had denied the statements that were broadcast. He questioned the authenticity of the video and asked if the video was taken three months before. He also said that while he was in Koovathur, people of his constituency had called him and asked him to join former chief minister O Panneerselvam. Following that, he managed to escape from the Koovathur resort and joined Panneerselvam. 

Recently too, there was a message circulated in WhatsApp that he would join TTV Dinakaran, but it was a false claim, he said. “Either I would be with Panneerselvam or I will resign the post,” said Saravanan. 

When the private TV channels broadcasting the results of a monthlong sting operation on AIADMK MLAs of both factions caught everyone by surprise and had them glued to TV sets on Monday evening, AIADMK (Amma) spokesperson CR Saraswathi pooh-poohed the revelations. 

She said, “All the MLAs are free and united. There were complaints of them being imprisoned in Koovathur before the confidence vote of Chief Minister Palanisamy. But all are still in the AIADMK and are working for the continuation of Jayalalithaa’s rule in the state. This issue was raised three months ago and is being raised again only by the media. It will come to nothing.” 

However, the feeling in the OPS camp was that the operation might turn the tide in their favour totally given the existing antipathy to jailed AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala and deputy general secretary Dinakaran.  

An MLA who did not want to be named said, “If played right this can work in our favour. But if it also includes names from the OPS camp, then expeditious damage control is necessary.” Meanwhile, Sulur MLA R Kanagaraj said that he did not know Saravanan at all. He further denied taking any money from VK Sasikala for voting in the no-confidence motion.