Dinakaran rally hits merger plans
The Mannargudi family sought to be evicted from Tamil Nadu politics on Monday roared back, with AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran throwing a spanner in the merger being brokered by the BJP at the Centre.
With some 20 MLAs said to be backing Dinakaran, nephew of jailed AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, his show of strength is aimed at unnerving chief minister E Palaniswami and his predecessor O Panneerselvam engaged in merger talks.
Invoking AIADMK founder MGR, Amma and Chinnamma (Sasikala) to cheers from cadres and supporters, Dinakaran alleged a few MLAs were “hidden” by some and prevented from coming to the rally. Fourteen MLAs could be seen.
But unlike as anticipated earlier, there were no fireworks or ‘expose’ of Edapaddi Palanisami as TTV Dinakaran threatened. He only launched into a broadside against the EPS and OPS, Dinakaran questioned as to why and how “I was ousted from deputy general secretaryship.” The way these people have done it is nothing but illegal and a fraud, he said. “Whose hand is behind all this political action?” Dinakaran questioned, hinting at BJP but not naming it.
According to sources, both the factions have the ear of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his blessings for the merger.
In fact, it is said that the BJP would like a united AIADMK join the NDA fold as it sees the move as a route to enter and entrench itself in Tamil Nadu.