Sasikala is still AIADMK general secretary; we will form government if elections held: TTV Dhinakaran

SUNTIKUPPA (KODAGU): AIADMK rebel leader TTV Dhinakaran insisted on Saturday that his aunt VK Sasikala was still the general secretary of the AIADMK, and he himself would continue as the deputy general secretary.

Addressing a press meet on Saturday here at Paddington resort where 18 MLAs supporting him have been staying for the past couple of weeks, Dhinakaran challenged the Tamil Nadu government, saying he was looking forward to elections and was confident that they would form the government if polls were to be held now. 

Emphasising his point he said a floor test should be held. "We have 10-12 MLas of the ruling party on our side and they will be revealed only during voting to prove a majority," he claimed.

Expressing confidence that the 18 MLAs disqualified by the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker would return to their posts, Dhinakaran said they would be meeting with an advocate on Monday in Delhi. He said they would win the case in the High Court and they were willing to go all the way to the Supreme Court if required.

Speaking of the fight for the two-leaves symbol of the AIADMK, Dhinakaran said they would hold agitations and they would ensure that the party symbol is theirs.

Accusing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami of going back on his promise made three months ago and joining hands with O Panneerselvam, Dhinakaran dismissed their recent decision to remove Sasikala from the post of general secretary. 

"Sasikala is leading the party in place of Amma. All 18 MLAs are committed to saving the interests of the party. The people of Tamil Nadu will not tolerate a Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister who have joined hands just to enjoy power," he said.

Reacting to the statement of  Chief Minister Palaniswami that the MLAs aligned to Dhinakaran were not even a part of AIADMK, Dhinakaran said they were very much a part of the AIADMK, and sought to remind Palaniswami that it was he who joined hands with Paneerselvam, (who had launched a rebellion against Sasikala).

Dhinakaran said they would meet Sasikala in the next 15 days and that the 18 MLAs would return to Chennai forthwith.

Reacting to the interest expressed by actors Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan to enter the political arena, Dhinakaran merely said that everyone had the right to join politics and dream of becoming the chief minister.