AIADMK demands apology from Stalin for Jaya remark

THE RULING AIADMK on Saturday took strong exception to alleged remarks made against late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa by DMK leader M K Stalin and sought an “open apology” from him.

Claiming that Stalin had used certain words against Jayalalithaa on Friday, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran said they were completely “false” and showed the DMK leader’s “uncultured side”.

Stalin, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, had objected to government schemes being named after Jayalalithaa and “taxpayers’ money being used in her 69th birthday celebrations”.

Jayalalithaa was loved by Tamils the world over and they addressed her affectionately as ‘Amma’ (Mother) even as she was known for her compassion, Dinakaran, V K Sasikala’s nephew, said.

“When scores of her supporters are in grief following her demise (in December 2016), making such slander and false remarks shows Stalin’s uncultured side,” he said in a statement.

Recalling Jayalalithaa’s efforts to uphold Tamil Nadu’s rights, Dinakaran said she had done these in issues like the Cauvery water dispute, besides earning the love of people with a series of welfare measures, including the free 20 kg rice scheme.

“Because of these, she lives in the hearts of crores of people. Therefore, there is no need to uphold her memory by just naming schemes after her,” Dinakaran said in an apparent reference to Stalin taking exception to some government schemes named after her.

M K Stalin