Jayalalithaa’s close aide joins DMK

CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu minister and a prominent leader of the Amma Makkal Munnetra KAZHAGAM (AMMK) party, loated recently by the TTV Dhinakaran faction of the ruling Anna DMK, on Friday joined the principal opposition DMK. He was one of the 18 MLAS who raised a revolt against Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and was disqualified by Speaker P. Dhanapal.

Hundreds of his supporters and mid-level functionaries also moved into the DMK. Balaji had been a close associate of Dhinakaran, who had this year formed the AMMK party, but his connections remained deep-rooted in the Anna DMK as he was preparing for re-election to the Karur seat he had won in 2016 as a close aide of late chief minister J.jayalalithaa.

With the death of Jayalalithaa, fondly called Amma or Mother, her party had been disintergating. Balaji now faces the electorate as a leader of the DMK, which would mount a vicious campaign against Amma’s party, seen deeply rooted in corruption. Dhinakaran’s aunt VK Sasikala, who was A JAYALALITHAA Conidant, Is serving A four-year jail term in a massive graft case in which the Jayalalithaa herself was prime accused.

BALAJI Is THE irst senior ADMK-AMMK leader to join the DMK after her death.

Balaji, who started his political career in the DMK, was transport minister in Jayalalithaa’s cabinet and is known as a leader who commands a following. He met DMK president MK Stalin on Friday at the Anna Arivalayam headquarters of the DMK and formally enrolled himself in the party.

He told the media later, “a true leader is the one who mingles with people and cares for them. Stalin is the real leader. I joined the DMK due as per the wish of Karur people.

“I will work hard for the DMK’S victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. We will make Stalin the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.” He lambasted Dhinakaran, Chief Minister Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam. “People voted only for Jayalalithaa in 2016 Assembly elections and not for the above leaders,” he said.

Dhinakaran restrained his reaction, merely pointing out that Senthil Balaji had claimed he cannot be participate in the party’s activities due to personal reasons.