After witnessing TTV Dhinakaran's massive show of crowd strength at Madurai, the Edappadi Palanisami faction of AIADMK launched a counter attack against the sidelinded deputy general secretary. Finance Minister D Jayakumar told TNIE that activities of dissenters against the unification of the factions will not be forgiven by the cadre and people.
The venue at Melur saw over 20,000 supporters, in what has come as a major shot in the arm for Dhinakaran even as the AIADMK factions led by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and former CM O Panneerselvam appear closer to a merger. 20 MLAs were paraded before the cameras. TTV Dhinakaran took the stage as an opportunity to announce that he was late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's true heir.
“If Dhinakaran and supporters think the party should not unite, they will not be forgiven by people who chose the party to lead them,” said Jayakumar.
The Finance Minister reportedly claimed that Dhinakaran who had earned benefits from the party, was not a seasoned politician. He further reiterated that he should not be allowed to interfere in the affairs of the party and government or invited to any functions.
Dhinakaran let loose a scathing attack against the ruling government on Monday and even took potshots at the DMK. For the ousted Deputy General Secretary, this rally proved to be an attempt to appropriate the legacy of Jayalalithaa.
"I am the true heir of Amma. In 2000, she wanted to make me the Youth secretary and get me to tour the entire state," thundered TTV.
With the OPS faction demanding the removal of the Sasikala family from the AIADMK as a condition for the merger, Dhinakaran noted, "If Chinamma wanted she could have become Chief Minister the day that Amma passed away. But she did not. You know who she appointed instead. On February 14, due to a difficult situation, she could not take over as CM and she handed over the mantle again. Even then she could have made me or anybody else in the family the CM. But we don't care about power."