Fear of defeat stalks Stalin: Edappadi K Palaniswami

Salem: The opposition DMK leader M K Stalin giving notice for a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker, P Dhanapal, following show-cause notices issued against three dissenting AIADMK MLAs’, only shows that “fear of defeat is driving his actions,” said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Mr. Palaniswami, who was here on Sunday after completing his May 19 bypoll campaign at Sulur, told reporters at the Salem airport that the recent activities of Mr. Stalin has made it crystal clear that the DMK and the AMMK led by the dissident leader T T V Dhinakraan had a tacit understanding and that the DMK wanted to “topple” the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu at any cost.

Explaining the circumstances under which by-elections to 22 Assembly seats had to be conducted this time along with Lok Sabha polls, Mr. Palaniswami said as three AIADMK MLAs’ had acted “against the party’s interests” (during the LS poll campaign recently), the government chief whip, Mr. Rajendran had given a petition to the Speaker. Following this Sri Dhanapal had issued show-cause notices to the trio. “Why Mr. Stalin should fume about this and is there any link between the DMK and these three AIADMK MLAs,” Mr. Palaniswami asked.

If as Mr. Stalin has been claiming in his election speeches that the DMK will win all the 22 Assembly bypolls, then why should he bring a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker, Mr. Palaniswami further asked, adding, he was confident that the AIADMK will win all the bypolls and continue to govern Tamil Nadu.

Denying that the AIADMK was responsible for indefinitely postponing the local bodies elections, Mr. Palaniswami said they will be held “definitely after three months.” To another question, he said if “nature cooperates” steps will be taken to ensure release of water from Mettur dam as per schedule.