By-polls to 19 Assembly seats likely with LS polls, says TN CM

Tirunelveli: “Sincere and loyal cadres even from grassroots level will get due recognition in the AIADMK,” said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and party’s joint coordinator, Edappadi K Palaniswami at a party function in Tirunelveli on Sunday.

Referring to his elevation to the Chief minister’s post despite he haiing from an ordinary rural background as the son of poor farmer, he said that a cadre from the grassroots level could get high positions only in AIADMK,  the only party that functions democratically.

“Most other parties like the DMK play dynasty politics,” he said, specifically hitting at the dynasty politics of DMK. “No one else could become the president of DMK. After Karunanidhi his son M K Stalin became the party president and now his son Udhayanidhi Stalin is following up,” he added.

Stating that Tamil Nadu, being led by him on the path shown by Jayalalithaa and MGR, tops among states in all fronts including law and order, he  accused the DMK, could not stomach peaceful situation in state and hence made baseless charges. Palaniswami who enroute addressed several roadside meetings, hinted that the by-polls to 19 Assembly constituencies that are vacant might be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls.

Later, stoutly denying allegations over his involvement in the Kodanad estate break-in case, Mr Palaniswami said his government will order a detailed inquiry into the issue. Stating that the persons involved in the episode were "hard core criminals" with several cases against them in Kerala, the CM suspected DMK's involvement in the plot. The suspicion is strengthened as DMK leader and former Chennai Mayor M Subramaniam's photographer Sundarajan and another DMK functionary Mohankumar had allegedly helped one of the accused come out on bail, Palaniswami asserted.