CHENNAI: Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar on Tuesday said the DMK and the AIADMK are continuing their covert attempts to form a government with the support of the BJP. He alleged that such efforts, that had begun immediately after the Assembly election results, are still under way.
Addressing reporters at the secretariat, Nirmal Kumar claimed that the DMK and the AIADMK had sought BJP’s backing to prevent the TVK from forming the government and to stop Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay from assuming office.
He said recent remarks by IUML state chief Kader Mohideen alleging attempts by the two Dravidian parties to form the government vindicated the TVK’s stand. Escalating his attack, the minister alleged that DMK president MK Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami are attempting to come together to “protect their families and assets”.
Responding to a question on the recent resignations of AIADMK MLAs and senior leaders, Nirmal Kumar alleged that the exodus was a fallout of Palaniswami’s alleged attempt to align with the DMK. Recalling that former chief ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa had described the DMK as an “evil force”, he questioned how AIADMK leaders and cadre who had worked under them could accept any understanding with the DMK.
On reports that his recent meeting with Governor Rajendra Arlekar was to seek sanction for prosecuting certain former ministers, Nirmal Kumar said it was just a courtesy call. He maintained that there had been no attempt to pressure the governor as the relevant files had already been submitted to Lok Bhavan.