Throwing his first open challenge to the DMK front in the LS election, Madurai strongman Alagiri vowed to defeat Puthiya Tamizhagam (PT) candidate Dr Krishnaswamy in the Tenkasi constituency. PT is part of the DMK alliance.
Alagiri made this declaration while participating in a domestic function of one of his supporters at Rajapalyam on Sunday. The Madurai strong man, who was angered by PT leader statements saying that his suspension would neither affect him nor the DMK, said, “If he had said that it was an internal matter of DMK, I would have appreciated him.”
Alagiri further warned Krishnaswamy saying that, “I have married a woman belonging to your community, and don’t forget that.” This statement is seen by the loyalists as a veiled message indicating that he had good support among the PT leader’s community as well.
Earlier criticising the selection of DMK candidates for the Lok Sabha election, Alagiri said that senior DMK leaders like Sampath and Dharamlingam have won the election only with the support of cadre.
Even when Karunanidhi contested against a veteran
Congress leader, Parisutha
Nadar, in Thanjavur constituency in 1962, he visited the
both the committees in the
midnight and boosted the morale of the cadre.
“But, today candidates are selected without the concurrence of Karunanidhi. Instead of picking loyal cadre, those at control are asking the applicants how much will be they be able to spend,” he said.
A case in point is the Tirunelveli constituency candidate C Devadas Sundram, said Alagiri and added that Devadas only served as a trustee of Tiruchendur temple. But, the seat was allotted to him because he was an influential person.
“I wonder why they are behind power and posts. Neither my supporters or I ever vied for posts. Now, we have come together only with the intention of saving the party,” he said.
Alagiri said that he was carried away by the courage of his supporters, who turned for the ceremony at Rajapalayam, despite a warning from the
party that no cadre should have any contact with him.
“I fear if Karunanidhi happened to meet me during his visit to Madurai, the controlling group would suspend him too from the party,” he said.