‘Rebel’ MLAs herded into Courtallam resort

Chennai

‘Resort’ politics has returned to the State as the verdict in the 18 MLAs disqualification case is expected soon.

A section of the ‘rebel’ AIADMK legislators, who have been disqualified by Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal for aligning with AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran, have now reportedely packed their bags to a resort in Courtallam in Tirunelveli district.

According to AMMK sources, Dhinakaran has instructed all the 18 MLAs to be cautious and not to fall for the overtures of the ruling AIADMK group.

Four legislators, namely Thangathamizh Selvan, Marriappan Kennedy, P Palaniappan and K Kathirkamu, are said to have already reached the resort belonging to Esakki Muthu, a former MLA.

“Our supporters are being periodically lured by the AIADMK ministers to sustain this anti-people government,” P Vettrivel told DTNext.

Stating that only a few of the disqualified MLAs have gone to Tirunelveli, Vettrivel said: “Some of them recently attended the Tamirabharani Maha Pushkaram and are on a vacation in Courtallam. Further, they are not holding the office of MLAs. No one can be forced to stay.”

“After discussing about the Tiruparankundram bypoll and Lok Sabha election works, we took a pilgrimage to Tirunelveli for the Maha Pushkaram. We are now on a three-day get together,” quipped an AMMK functionary.

It maybe recalled that following a factional war that broke out within the ruling AIADMK after former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s death in December 2016, Jayalalithaa’s close aide V K Sasikala put up a number of MLAs at a resort near Chennai, preventing them from flocking to rival O Panneerselvam’s camp.

Meanwhile, AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai told reporters that there was no threat to the AIADMK government irrespective of the court verdict.

“The public voted for this government. We will complete the full five years term. Amma has trained us to handle political and election-related issues. We are confident of the AIADMK rule and the party will win all the 40 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls,” Thambidurai said.