CHENNAI: Being the prime mover in the DMDK, its staunchest defender and the loudest campaigner, party founder Vijayakant’s wife and its women’s wing leader Premalatha has come in for some sharp criticism.
On Wednesday, the dissident leaders—a day after they went public to express their displeasure over the alliance choices that the party leadership made—targeted Premalatha, holding her responsible for the wrong turn that the DMDK has taken.
“There was no problem until it was under the control of the Captain. But now the DMDK has gone into the hands of ‘Anniyar’ Premalatha. It was she who took the decision to go with the People’s Welfare Alliance (PWA), much against the wish of party cadre.
Now, the only way to protect the party is to align with the DMK,” VC Chandhirakumar, former party propaganda secretary said. The 10 expelled senior DMDK functionaries also questioned the action against them. Sources among the dissidents and other disgruntled cadre, still within the party, said it is Premalatha and her brother and Youth Wing leader, LK Sudhish who control the party. Vijayakant does not take any decision without her consent, sources added.
THE BIG FIGHT
■ Dissident leaders, under leadership of VC Chandhirakumar, targeted Premalatha, holding her responsible for the wrong turn
■ Disgruntled cadres claim Premalatha & brother Sudhish control party