It’s official, Arukutty joins Palaniswami camp
Kavundampalayam MLA VC Arukutty on Sunday joined the AIADMK (Amma) faction by meeting Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at the latter’s residence in Salem. This move comes two days after the MLA from Coimbatore district withdrew his support to O Panneerselvam.
By : migrator
Update: 2017-07-23 19:43 GMT
Coimbatore
Arukutty said, “Voters extended their support to me when I supported Panneerselvam. Once again they have backed my decision now.” He further claimed, “I took the decision only after explaining the schemes sanctioned by Palaniswami for the Assembly segment to my voters in the last two days.”
He added that EPS government is functioning like that of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. On the criticism he faced from MLAs in Panneerselvam’s faction, he preferred not to respond to it as it would lead to complications.
“I will advise ministers, MLAs and functionaries in both factions to avoid giving statements of hate and counter statements. Such a refrain will pave way for easier unification of the two factions. That is everyone’s ultimate aim,” the MLA added.
Meanwhile, OPS and his senior lieutenants, on Sunday, had a discussion for about an hour at his residence on Greenways Road. The meeting saw attendance of former Ministers KP Munusamy, and Mafoi K Pandiarajan, former Speaker PH Pandian, and Manoj Pandian. Munusamy, who downplayed the meeting rued that he was not sure as to what made Arukutty leave their camp.
Forced to act against Valarmathi, says EPS
“We were forced to take this decision against Valarmathi,” Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami told reporters in his brief informal interaction with journalists after taking part in an event at Salem district on Sunday.
He was referring to the arrest and detention of MA journalism student Valarmathi by Salem City Police on July 12. While it was his concluding remarks hours later news came that the student was placed under suspension. The CM said that parents are making students study amid difficulties. “The government will not allow false messages to be disseminated among the students spoiling their future. When law and order is affected under unavoidable circumstances, we were forced to take this decision against her since there are many cases pending against her,” he said. On Sunday evening it was learnt that Valarmathi was placed under suspension by the Periyar University. It is learnt that the action was taken as she was detained under Goondas Act for distributing pamphlets on the ills of oil projects.
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