One more MLA extends support to TTV Dinakaran

Chennai

The number of party MLAs backing Dinakaran has now reached21.

Aranthangi MLA E Rathinasabapathy had also reportedlyexpressed his support for Dinakaran.

Earlier 19 pro-Dinakaran MLAs had revolted against TamilNadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and petitioned Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao toremove him.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Dinakaran at his Adyarresidence here, Kalaiselvan questioned Palaniswami's decision to merge the Ammafaction led by the latter with that of O Panneerslevam's Puratchi ThalaiviAmma.

The AIADMK MLA asked why Panneerselvam, who had earlier beencritical of the government, was given the deputy chief minister's post afterthe merger.

The Panneerselvam faction had voted against the Palaniswamigovernment in the February 18 trust vote, he said.

Asked if Dinakaran would attract more support, Kalaiselvanresponded in the affirmative.

"Some may not have a conscience but many others do asthey remember the efforts taken by Chinnamma (jailed AIADMK chief V KSasikala)," he said, apparently referring to Sasikala's efforts to ensurecontinuance of the government following Panneerselvam's revolt in Februaryagainst her.

Panneerselvam had then alleged he was forced to make way forSasikala to become chief minister.

Kalaiselvan said the approach of Palaniswami and someministers was not "proper" vis-a-vis party affairs, adding AIADMKworkers were not happy with it.