Dindigul C Sreenivasan downplays ‘420’ remarks

“It might have happened due to some slip of the tongue and it should not be blown out of proportion,” the Minister said, downplaying the remarks, which had taken the rumblings within the ruling party between the supporters of Palaniswami and TTV to an all time low.

It may be recalled that a smiling Dinakaran annoyed at the party’s move to oust him from the deputy general secretary post told the media at Thanajvur, where he was staying, that EPS was a 420, a reference to section 420 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code), which refers to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. It was not a passing comment, as repeated queries by the media led to Dinakaran talking on the issue for nearly five minutes.

However, Forest Minister’s effort for rapprochement has come as a surprise to many. When asked about Palaniswami’s angry retort at New Delhi that the ‘tag 420’ was more apt for Dinakaran, Sreenivasan said he was not aware of it.

He also added that the faction feud was a fight between brothers and that everything would become normal soon. It may be noted that Sreenivasan and School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan had not signed the resolution passed against Dinakaran two days ago, as they were appointed by jailed general secretary VK Sasikala.

Brushing aside rumours that rebel AIADMK PTA leader and former chief minister O Panneerselvam would be given the post of deputy chief minister, Sreenivasan said he had been reading it only in the media. “If at all anything like that happens, it will only be announced by Palaniswami,” the Minister added.