Why O Panneerselvam not opposing govt in Assembly?: M.K. Stalin

Chennai: The Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Monday strongly objected to former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's charge that the DMK leader is having a tacit understanding with Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami's government and asked why Panneerselvam had no courage to question Palaniswami in the Assembly.

“If Panneerselvam does not want the continuance of Palaniswami government, why is he afraid of raising corruption charges against the government in the Assembly? Why is he not asking for action against those involved in sand mining irregularities? Why does he lack courage to demand that charges should be framed against the Chief Minister as per Election Commission's direction?” Stalin asked.

Panneerselvam is holding secret parleys with the ruling party to get back to power and indulge in corrupt activities again, Stalin charged.

The two factions expressed support to the BJP's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind showing what kind of secret alliance Panneerselvam had with Palaniswami, the DMK leader said.

“Let those who were steeped in corruption, those who earned money by fixing percentages for contracts, those who bowed before the family of AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala to earn crores of money, try to take up role of saints. But, Panneerselvam has no locus standi to attack the DMK," Stalin said.

Panneerselvam formed a committee to hold merger talks with the ruling faction of the AIADMK, only after the secret parleys came to light. Later, he dissolved the committee when he came to know that he could not get the Chief Minister's post, Stalin said. Again, Panneerselvam is holding talks in hotels, while asserting such talks were not being held.

Panneerselvam who is vying with Palaniswami to function as the mask of BJP is unnecessarily dragging DMK in a bid to earn a good name from his 'teachers' in Delhi.

When DMK raised the horse trading charges against the AIADMK (Amma) government in the Assembly, Panneerselvam was silent, Stalin said and the charges against the DMK only showed his regrets over losing the Chief Minister's post, he obtained accidentally, Stalin added.