Rajini’s claim on rally baseless: Minister

“There is nothing true in Rajinikanth’s statement as no such event occurred back in 1971. Periyar is a respectable leaderand by kindling him Rajinikanth should not get involved in cheap politics,” said Jayakumar.

After Rajinikanth stirred a controversy by speaking about Periyar, there was criticism on AIADMK that the party did not defend Periyar. When media questioned Jayakumar about the silence of AIADMK on Rajinikanth-Periyar issue, Jayakumar replied that Periyar is one of the accepted leaders by AIADMK beyond former chief ministers CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.

“If any one of the four leaders are insulted, AIADMK will be the first party to raise its voice against those who speak against them. Rajinikanth should remain mute on the issue,” said Jayakumar.

When asked about the comments of Minister for Khadi and Village Industries Board G Baskaran that AIADMK will snap ties with the BJP, Jayakumar replied that there is no problem in the relationship between the two parties.

“The comments of Baskaran is his personal comment and it is not the view of the AIADMK. There is no rift in therelationship between two parties. Policy decisions and decisions on alliance will be decided by party high command,” said Jayakumar.

The comments of Baskaran stirred a huge controversy in both the parties as the comment was not expected from a Minister, at the time when the relationship is in strain due to the recent criticism of BJP made by Jayakumar.

Baskaran said, “DMK was in BJP alliance and it gained nothing out of the alliance. Similar is the case with AIADMK. We are waiting for the right time to snap the alliance with the BJP,” said Baskaran, in a public meeting in Sivaganga, on Tuesday. He also said that the entire Ministry is of the same view on BJP. “We also discussed about the relationship with BJP in the Cabinet meeting and Ministersraised opposition to BJP on the CAA issue,” said Baskaran.

Later in the day, Baskaran made a somersault on the issue and backtracked his own statement. “Ties with BJP will remain strong and none can create fissures between the two parties. However, our party will explain the negative consequences of the Act (Citizenship Amendment Act) to Centre and will take steps to revoke the Act,” he said.