Hopeful of Governor's good decision on demand for Palaniswami's ouster: Dinakaran

Speaking to the media for the first time after the AIADMK merger between O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami factions, the ‘ousted’ deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran on Saturday said that the ministers, Velumani and Thangamani, encouraged him to become the deputy Chief Minister.

They did so when AIADMK (A) general secretary VK Sasikala made Edappadi K Palaniswami the chief minister after complaints from AIADMK MLAs about O Panneerselvam on December 23, he added.

He termed the present tussle within the party a war between sacrifice (thiyagam) and betrayal (drogam). He added that Sasikala could have become

the chief minister in addition to general secretary if she had wanted. He also demanded the rival group to reveal why they wanted to remove Sasikala from the general secretary’s post.

Speaking about the 21 MLAs supporting him, Dinakaran said that all of them knew the perks they would have received if they had continued to support the EPS group. “They had given up all that to stand for ‘justice’.

They would continue till we receive a good report from the Governor soon,” he said.

Dinakaran group’s strength has risen to 21 following Virudhachalam MLA VT Kalaiselvan extending support to the faction.

No-confidence motion cannot dissolve AIADMK govt: Minister Expressing confidence in the stability of the present government, revenue minister RB Udhayakumar said that the AIADMK government would survive any number of no-confidence motions, here on Saturday.

Addressing the media after inaugurating a yoga competition at a private college in Madurai, Udayakumar said that the present government was formed by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami was continuing her mission of implementing the welfare measures as promised by her in the election manifesto.

Referring to the 19 MLAs, who are on the side of the ‘ousted’ deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran, he said that group would not cause any trouble to the government as they also want the government formed by Jayalalithaa to complete the full term.

“The MLAs, who are staying in a private premise at Puducherry, know that they will be able to meet the people during the next election, only if they allow the present government to complete its full term. So, they will not make any attempt to dislodge the EPS-led government,” he said.

He added that the MLAs were staying with Dinakaran only due to difference of opinion. “We are sons of the same mother. Jayalalithaa’s soul is with us. The party has overcome many such crises in the past with ease,” the minister pointed out.

ARIYALUR: Kunnam MLA Ramachandran slammed the 21 MLAs, who had won with the support of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for their comment of corrupt government and claimed that they had sought the dissolution of the current AIADMK government.

The MLA, who was in Ariyalur for discussing with the party cadre at Senthurai, said that the MLAs, who have been accusing the present government, have no right to comment on the government.

“Hence I urge the CM to dissolve the government and prepare for a fresh election. We will certainly form Jayalalaithaa government under the leadership of EPS and OPS. Do you have guts to ask for votes in the name of Sasikala?” he asked