BJP is not controlling AIADMK: TTV Dinakaran

When asked about the comments made by Finance Minister D Jayakumar, who categorically stated that Dinakaran would not be involved in the governance, he said he considered nobody his enemy. “They were talking tough out of fear. I will reveal what that fear is and also the reasons why they tried to sideline me,” he said, adding that he did not think BJP was controlling the AIADMK. 

About his position if both factions merged before August 5, as one of the preconditions set by AIADMK (PTA) was Sasikala clan’s ouster, Dinakaran said that it was highly unlikely. “I know what is going on. However, if both factions merged I would welcome it,” he said. “The people who went away are our brothers and I feel it is my duty to accommodate them also in the party,” he added. 

TTV also questioned the party’s authority to sideline him. In June, after coming out on bail in the EC bribery attempt case, Dinakaran announced that he would wait for two months for the merger of factions of the AIADMK and then take up active party work. He had given the time-frame for merger after meeting VK Sasikala the party’s general secretary, serving her term in a corruption case in a Bengaluru prison, on June 5. He had then said that Sasikala had told him what to do in case the factions did not unite in 60 days and that deadline draws to a close on August 4.

Reiterating that he would tour the state after August 4, he said the aim would be to meet party cadre and get the party ready to face the general elections in 2019. “This decision was based on the talks I had with party men who visited me from all parts of the state” he added. “I am going to tour the state to meet party cadre and people for party’s growth and for the party’s win in 2019 Lok Sabha poll,” he said. On the merger, he said despite the time given, there had been no progress. “As a party worker and deputy general secretary, I have a duty to work for the party and strengthen it,” he said. 

On whether there were any chances of AIADMK being given posts in the central cabinet, Dinakaran said he could not comment on speculative ideas. Asked about ministers taking on actor Kamal Haasan, he said the actor should prove his charges with evidence. Calling Kamal a respected person, he said ministers should not refer to the actor in the first person.