Angry Vaiko walks out of TV interview

Chennai: A question on allegations on the social media that the People’s Welfare Alliance had received Rs 1,500 crore for functioning as the B team of AIADMK led to a walkout by a furious MDMK chief Vaiko, in the midst of an interview to a private TV channel.

The interviewer cited Vaiko’s allegations that the DMK came forward to give Rs 500 crore and 80 Assembly seats to the DMDK and proceeded to his question about reports that  the PWA had received Rs 1,500 crore to function as the B team of the AIADMK.

Before the TV journalist could finish the question, Vaiko removed the lapel mike and walked out, even while the interviewer was asking him to take the full question. He left the room without listening to the interviewer. Quoting press reports, Vaiko, in a press meet, had charged DMK with having offered to bribe Vijayakanth to join the DMK front.

DMK leader M. Karunanidhi replied with a legal notice to Vaiko, who had asserted that he would reply to it when he receives it. Slamming Vaiko for accusing the BJP of wooing Vijayakanth with offers of Parliament seats and Cabinet positions, Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan said Vaiko’s charge only showed Vijayakanth in poor light as it could mean that the latter was looking for deals.