Repartee in TN Assembly as Finance Minister targets AIADMK, says someone is determining its future
Minister Thangam Thennarasu said, “You (AIADMK) all must be wary of those who are trying to snatch your possessions (party).”;
Thangam Thennarasu
CHENNAI: The ruling DMK and AIADMK might be rivals wrangling almost daily on the political field, but they are unmatched in covering each other’s back when it comes to safeguarding the State’s political dichotomy. A sample of the mutual endearment was on display in the State Assembly on Friday when Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu ‘rightfully’ cautioned the AIADMK to be wary of the ‘Chanakya calculations’ of the BJP trying to render them obsolete in future.
Replying to the debate on the State Budget 2025-26 in the State Assembly, Minister Thangam Thennarasu said, “You (AIADMK) all must be wary of those who are trying to snatch your possessions (party).” Responding to senior AIADMK leader P Thangamani’s curious questions about the allocation for the free laptop/tablet scheme announced in the budget, Thennarasu said, “You have been travelling with us on the political field for long. Elder brother Thangamani! It is under these circumstances that you are doing ‘addition, subtraction’ calculation here.
But you must not forget that ‘others’ are doing your addition and subtraction calculations from elsewhere. “A few others sitting elsewhere are doing these calculations with ‘Chanakya chicanery’ to an extent it could render your cadre and your sympathisers’ future ineffective. My brother! You were a bit inattentive on the laptop issue. But, you all must be wary of those who are trying to snatch your possessions (party).
I rightfully make this request to you due to the affection I have for you,” said Thangam Thennarasu, leaving everyone in splits.
FM’s ‘cat is out of the bag’ remark at BJP legislator
As if amusement was short on supply in the House, a witty Thangam Thennarasu followed it with an even more sarcastic jibe aimed at the BJP. “Honourable MLA Vanathi Srinivasan (BJP) is laughing. It means the cat is out of the bag,” Thangam Thennarasu added as the whole House burst into laughter, including BJP MLA Vanathi herself.
Reciprocating the ‘affection’ of Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, former AIADMK minister Thangamani later asserted, “Our calculations will not go wrong. We won’t be deceived.” Chief Minister Stalin drew curtains on the denouement of the ‘calculated’ political debate with the parting message; “Congratulations, if your calculations do not go awry.”