TOI INTERVIEW
‘If probed, will expose Koovathur plot’ 03.10.2018 TOI
A folk artist turned actor turned politician, Karunaashas turned a rebel now, 20 months after endorsing Edappadi K Palaniswami’s government in a trust vote. The Thiruvadanai MLA got assembly ticket from Jayalalithaa and won on the two leaves symbol. In an interview to Julie Mariappan, the Mukkulathur Pulipadai leader claims that the AIADMK government remains a slave to Narendra Modi’s BJP and works against the wishes of partymen. An ardent supporter of jailed leader V K Sasikala, he says if there is a probe, he would expose everything that happened at Koovathur resort prior to the formation of the EPS government.
You won the polls on two leaves symbol as an AIADMK ally. What prompted you to lash out at the chief minister?
What I spoke was wrongly interpreted by the media. All that I said was that the intelligence wing was feeding wrong information to the chief minister and that he was believing it. My supporters and myself honoured the CM during Thevar Jayanthi celebrations last year. There was huge posse of police force around me. I came to know later that the intelligence wing had informed the CM that I was planning to waylay him. Doesn’t CM know me? After all, I was the one who supported his candidature. Nobody bothered to clarify with me as to what I had said.
Do you regret speaking ill about the chief minister?
Ihave been running my party, Mukkulathor Pulipadai, since 2009. I have never spoken ill of other communities, nor have I instigated violence. Police could not find even one case against me. When I came to know that certain sections were offended by my reference to a community, I expressed regret.
There are reports that AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran is guiding you. Why did TTV supporter and Aranthangi MLA R Rathinasabapathy meet you?
I am a party leader and I consult my office bearers for evolving policies and strategies. Why would I consult a leader of another party? Rathinasabapathy is my relative from Pudukkottai. I am an ally of the AIADMK. Amma gave me the assembly ticket. When she was alive, I was encouraged to speak. After her death, we have not got our due space and recognition.
What was the reason for your arrest?
You must ask the CM. My people and constituency have been ignored by this government. My men are targeted by police in districts like Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Madurai. You put them in jail if they committed any wrongdoing. Why do you harm them physically. Their livelihood is affected. Why should I support this government?
Has the CM responded to your concerns?
Thrice I sought appointments with the chief minister. I did not get any response. I have information that the administration has been instructed to ignore my constituency.
There are reports that the AIADMK is pushing for getting you and three other MLAs disqualified. Have you been served any show cause notice?
No. If there is one in the offing, I am not afraid. Let me tell you, this government will face the consequences during the next polls.
You met V K Sasikala in Bengaluru prison days after you lashed out at the CM. How did the meeting go?
I met her because I am concerned about her well-being. She is my relative. She lost her husband too. She was upset that those in power had betrayed her. This government was formed to beat the designs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But now it has become a stooge of the central government. She felt Edappadi was committing the same mistake that OPS committed.
You were at Koovathur resort prior to the trust vote? What happened there?
Everyone — MLAs, ministers and chief minister — knows what happened at Koovathur and how this government was formed by V K Sasikala. Others are too scared to talk. If there is a probe, I will reveal everything.
Panneerselvam feigns ignorance about disqualification move against Karunaas
Chennai:
Deputy chief minister and AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam on Tuesday feigned ignorance about his party’s move to get Thiruvadanai MLA and Mukkulathor Pulipadai leader S Karunaas disqualified from the assembly. Panneerselvam, along with chief minister K Palaniswami, was closeted with speaker P Dhanapal on Monday for a protracted meeting. And a section of media reported that the party was pushing for the disqualification of Karunaas and three other MLAs who are supporting T T V Dhinakaran. Asked about the disqualification move, Panneerselvam said, “I came to know about it only through you (media)”. The deputy CM, however, said action would be taken against those who support Karunaas. TNN
‘If probed, will expose Koovathur plot’ 03.10.2018 TOI
A folk artist turned actor turned politician, Karunaashas turned a rebel now, 20 months after endorsing Edappadi K Palaniswami’s government in a trust vote. The Thiruvadanai MLA got assembly ticket from Jayalalithaa and won on the two leaves symbol. In an interview to Julie Mariappan, the Mukkulathur Pulipadai leader claims that the AIADMK government remains a slave to Narendra Modi’s BJP and works against the wishes of partymen. An ardent supporter of jailed leader V K Sasikala, he says if there is a probe, he would expose everything that happened at Koovathur resort prior to the formation of the EPS government.
You won the polls on two leaves symbol as an AIADMK ally. What prompted you to lash out at the chief minister?
What I spoke was wrongly interpreted by the media. All that I said was that the intelligence wing was feeding wrong information to the chief minister and that he was believing it. My supporters and myself honoured the CM during Thevar Jayanthi celebrations last year. There was huge posse of police force around me. I came to know later that the intelligence wing had informed the CM that I was planning to waylay him. Doesn’t CM know me? After all, I was the one who supported his candidature. Nobody bothered to clarify with me as to what I had said.
Do you regret speaking ill about the chief minister?
Ihave been running my party, Mukkulathor Pulipadai, since 2009. I have never spoken ill of other communities, nor have I instigated violence. Police could not find even one case against me. When I came to know that certain sections were offended by my reference to a community, I expressed regret.
There are reports that AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran is guiding you. Why did TTV supporter and Aranthangi MLA R Rathinasabapathy meet you?
I am a party leader and I consult my office bearers for evolving policies and strategies. Why would I consult a leader of another party? Rathinasabapathy is my relative from Pudukkottai. I am an ally of the AIADMK. Amma gave me the assembly ticket. When she was alive, I was encouraged to speak. After her death, we have not got our due space and recognition.
What was the reason for your arrest?
You must ask the CM. My people and constituency have been ignored by this government. My men are targeted by police in districts like Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Madurai. You put them in jail if they committed any wrongdoing. Why do you harm them physically. Their livelihood is affected. Why should I support this government?
Has the CM responded to your concerns?
Thrice I sought appointments with the chief minister. I did not get any response. I have information that the administration has been instructed to ignore my constituency.
There are reports that the AIADMK is pushing for getting you and three other MLAs disqualified. Have you been served any show cause notice?
No. If there is one in the offing, I am not afraid. Let me tell you, this government will face the consequences during the next polls.
You met V K Sasikala in Bengaluru prison days after you lashed out at the CM. How did the meeting go?
I met her because I am concerned about her well-being. She is my relative. She lost her husband too. She was upset that those in power had betrayed her. This government was formed to beat the designs of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But now it has become a stooge of the central government. She felt Edappadi was committing the same mistake that OPS committed.
You were at Koovathur resort prior to the trust vote? What happened there?
Everyone — MLAs, ministers and chief minister — knows what happened at Koovathur and how this government was formed by V K Sasikala. Others are too scared to talk. If there is a probe, I will reveal everything.
Panneerselvam feigns ignorance about disqualification move against Karunaas
Chennai:
Deputy chief minister and AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam on Tuesday feigned ignorance about his party’s move to get Thiruvadanai MLA and Mukkulathor Pulipadai leader S Karunaas disqualified from the assembly. Panneerselvam, along with chief minister K Palaniswami, was closeted with speaker P Dhanapal on Monday for a protracted meeting. And a section of media reported that the party was pushing for the disqualification of Karunaas and three other MLAs who are supporting T T V Dhinakaran. Asked about the disqualification move, Panneerselvam said, “I came to know about it only through you (media)”. The deputy CM, however, said action would be taken against those who support Karunaas. TNN
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