AIADMK MP from Dhinakaran camp extends support to CM Palaniswami

Chennai: In a big boost to the K Palaniswami-led faction of the ruling AIADMK, a party MP from the rival TTV Dhinakaran-led camp on Friday switched sides to extend support to the state's Chief Minister.

M Vasanthi, the AIADMK MP from Tenkasi (SC), while pledging support to CM K Palaniswami, alleged that the sidelined party leader Dhinakaran had "joined hands" with the MK Stalin-led DMK to topple the "Amma government".

"Is it fair for him (Dhinakaran) to say that he will topple this government by aligning with the DMK. He has been repeatedly saying that and we don't like it. The 1.5 crore supporters of the party are agitated over this," she told reporters when quizzed about her decision to switch sides.

Before announcing her decision, M Vasanthi also had a meeting with Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam.

She said that both CM and his deputy will take forward the good work left behind by Jayalalithaa and continue to deliver various welfare schemes.

"Amma worked selflessly for the people. How can that government be toppled," she said.

The MP felt that the pro-Dhinakaran MLAs staying at a resort in Coorg in Karnataka had been "imprisoned" and asked if it was fair to do so as they were elected to serve the public.

She also hinted that more persons might switch sides from the Dhinakaran camp in the coming days.

Dhinakaran and Palaniswami are engaged in a tussle for power and the state has witnessed a number of episodes including the revolt by 19 MLAs against the chief minister and subsequent disqualification of 18 of them.

With PTI inputs