There was no pact with DMK: TTV Dhinakaran

Chennai: Contending that people voted for him as they had absolute faith in him, more so because it was “Amma's constituency”, the newly elected legislator from RK Nagar TTV Dhinakaran rubbished AIADMK's allegation that he had struck a “secret pact” with the DMK for winning the byelection.

“Those who lost the bypoll will utter anything against me. They were under the impression that the Two Leaves symbol will help them. But this did not work nor has the DMK's calculation of scoring a victory yielded the results”, Mr. Dhinakaran said on Monday night. Speaking to reporters here, he said those concerned about the future of the AIADMK and wish to serve the people by getting elected again would certainly nurse second thoughts (of remaining with the united AIADMK).

“Already they have been saying 'no Amma, no future for the AIADMK'. Now, through the RK Nagar byelection, people have given us the opportunity to take the party to the next level… the real cadres are with me”, he said. He went on to deny that he had offered '20 note to each voters in lieu of a huge sum after the poll. “Will people accept such a deal? Its highly illogical. People are not willing to be deceived”, he said and added “if I wanted to do so I could have merely promised to give money after the election and secured the votes. But that was not to be. People voted for me due to the faith in me”.

Also, such irrational allegations may turn true if he led in a single booth, but he had established a clear lead in all the rounds and emerged victorious. The allegation, he contended, does not hold water. He also refuted the charge that he engineered a “secret pact” with the DMK in winning the RK Nagar byelection and said the DMK appeared to have made “an arithmetic mistake.” “The DMK was overconfident... situation will change in every election”, he said.

 In a related development, expelled AIADMK Rajya Sabha member Sasikala Pushpa called on Dhinkaran and congratulated him on Monday. Puspha was sacked by the then CM Jayalalithaa last year for alleged anti-party activities. She met Dhinakaran at his residence here and congratulated him for his resounding victory and  expressed her wish to work with him in future, he said.