Sidelined Dhinakaran says 'no link' between TN Govt, AIADMK

Claiming the support of AIADMK (Amma) rank and file, sidelined leader T T V Dhinakaran today said there was no link between the Palaniswami government and the party, and those working to "capture the party through the back door" should reform.
Hitting back, the Palaniswami camp said he had no "locus standi" to issue such statements.
In Cuddalore, Forest Minister Dindigul C Srinivasan countered Dhinakaran's claim that the party was behind him, saying the government had the backing of all 134 MLAs. He asserted that some legislators who had attended Dhinakaran's rally at Madurai on August 14 had now professed allegiance to Chief Minister Palaniswami.

"It was proved yesterday ast Independence Day celebrations," Srinivasan said.
His remarks come a day after his reported comments that the government was short of majority by two MLAs.
Dhinakaran alleged that some ministers and office bearers were working to "capture the party through the back door" and asked them to reform themselves.

He mocked at the Chief Minister's camp for trying to unite with the Panneerselvam faction "which was not very keen on it".
Even if the two leaders merged their factions, the cadres were behind him and Sasikala, proof of which was the turnout at the Madurai rally, the AIADMK Deputy General Secretary climed.

"The government will stay only if the party exists. So the party should be strengthened and government should be run properly. Being in power is like holding a glass vessel. If it shatters we are not responsible," Dhinakaran said.
"It is true that the incumbent regime in Tamil Nadu was put in place by party general secretary V K Sasikala," he told reporters here to a question on allegations by actor Kamal Haasan against the government.
In the same breath, he added, "However, there is no link between the party (AIADMK-Amma) and the government."
By making this dramatic assertion, the beleaguered leader has tried to send a message that the party and cadres are behind him and that Palaniswami does not enjoy their support.

Dhinakaran said that at a time when allegations were continuously being levelled against the government, those at the helm did not have the courage to face it.
Yesterday Kamal Haasan had virtually called for Palaniswami's resignation over alleged corruption.
Dhinakaran said only Palaniswami has to respond to charges against the government and alleged that efforts were being made to divert attention from the issue.
"Hence some ministers and functionaries are working to divert attention. They are also trying to capture the party through the back door," he said and recalled his view that they should either give it up, or "they would be reformed".

In its August 10 resolution, the Palaniswami camp had delegitimised Dhinakaran's appointment as AIADMK Deputy General Secretary, sending signals that the CM's camp would go in for a rapprochement with Panneerselvam faction.
In a veiled threat to Palaniswami camp, Dhinakaran said "they should ponder about these allegations and take the right path, the path laid by Amma and if they do not do that they will for sure face danger (to the government)."
Asked why the Chief Minister was now taking a stand against him, Dhinakaran shot back saying "you ask him".
He also asked why the CM's camp had suddenly removed the banner of Chinnamma (as Sasikala is called by party workers) from the AIADMK office when he was away in Delhi during his incarceration in a Election Commission bribery case.

Hitting out at Finance Minister D Jayakumar, Dhinakaran said that "if he stands in front of the mirror, he will know who is the traitor".
Ridiculing Forest Minister Srinivasan, he said it was Sasikala who had given him the post of party treasurer and reminded him that he had prostrated before her when he got it.
To this, Srinivasan said he had done so out of respect and gratitude when he had not even sought that post.
"Similarly Dhinakaran took blessings from me and Sengottaiyan," he said.
He said all the posts given by Sasikala would go "automatically if the EC decides against her appointment."

On Dhinakaran's take that detractors should "reform," the Forest Minister said "he does not have any locus standi to say that... Only the late Amma had that authority to say that... what am I doing to get reformed (now)...