DMK, TTV Dhinakaran conspiring against govt: D Jayakumar

Chennai: Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar on Wednesday alleged that the DMK and the AIADMK rebel leader TTV Dhinakaran were ‘jointly conspiring’ against the AIADMK government and asserted that the dispensation will shake off any challenge posed by ‘any forces.’

Jayakumar, one of the senior ministers of the Edappadi K Palaniswami cabinet, also said Opposition Leader MK Stalin has no locus standi to accuse the government of ‘murdering democracy’ since the DMK was known for anti-democratic activities inside and outside the Assembly.

“Those living in glass houses should not throw stones at others. Stalin has no right or moral authority to say that we are involved in murdering democracy. He should first remember that it is his party which is famous for such activities and he should not point fingers at others,” Jayakumar told reporters.

He also referred to ‘unparliamentary’ language and behaviour used by DMK members against late MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on several occasions. Jayakumar also said the party, which ‘insulted a woman (Jayalalithaa)’ inside the Assembly has no ‘locus standi’ to talk about ‘murder of democracy.’

The Fisheries Minister also alleged that Stalin was conspiring with Dhinakaran to destabilise the AIADMK government. “None can the rock the boat. This government established by late Amma will complete its tenure and no one can shake the government. We will shake off all challenges posed by any kind of forces,” the Minister said.

He said the Government was ‘strong’ and it was following all democratic traditions to ensure good governance to the people. To a question on former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram's comments on the political situation in the state, Jayakumar said, “the Congress itself is sinking and he (Chidambaram) should first save that (party).”