CUDDALORE: DMDK chief M Vijayakant’s temper issues flared up again on Saturday when he slapped his party MLA from Panruti, P Sivakozhunthu, multiple times in full public view during a visit to flood-ravaged Periyakattupalayam in the district.
While the reason for Vijayakant’s assault on his own party leader was not clear, the public had a field day sharing the video clip on social networking sites.
The incident occurred when Vijayakant emerged out of the open roof of his vehicle at Perikattupalayam with Sivakozhunthu by his side.
The DMDK chief was waving to the public one moment, and began slapping Sivakozhunthu on his head the very next.
The MLA received at least four sharp blows on his head.
However, Sivakozhunthu put up a brave face after the assault and stayed by his leader’s side throughout the duration of the visit.
Vijayakant was on a tour of the district, which has in the past one week been at the receiving end of the fury unleashed by heavy rains.
With the news of Vijayakant’s visit trickling in, residents of Periyakattupalayam began thronging the route of the DMDK chief’s cavalcade in hundreds.
Braving rains, people taking shelter in government school and other higher areas for the past five days made a beeline to the venue. Periyakattupalayam was in the news recently after the death of 10 people, including eight of a family, was reported when a hut was washed away in a flash flood on Monday night.
Vijayakant was slated to meet the residents of the predominantly Arunthathiar colony and disburse welfare aid to the affected people.
Vijayakant was returning with his cavalcade when Sivakozhunthu came in the line of fire. The residents, who captured the incident on their mobile handsets, shared the clips on social networking sites. The residents reportedly shouted and clapped with glee when the MLA was beaten up.
According to sources, the incident provided amusement to the people, who have had little to cherish in the past few days. Youth and old gathered in groups to view the clip and laugh, sources added.