Sasi boarded car with AIADMK flag at border

Sasi boarded car with AIADMK flag at border

Team TOI

09.02.2021

The return of V K Sasikala to Tamil Nadu from Bengaluru on Monday had its share of drama. She got out of her car before entering TN and boarded an AIADMK functionary’s vehicle that had the party flag. Later in the evening, the functionary, Sulur east union youth wing secretary S R Sambangi, was expelled from the party.

Krishnagiri DSP T Saravanan had ‘warned’ Sasikala not to use the AIADMK flag. He had mentioned it in a letter to the AMMK’s Krishnagiri district secretary K S Arivalagan.

Earlier, Hosur DSP Murali, tahsildar Senthil Kumar and Sipcot police inspector Balakrishnan handed over a notice asking Sasikala to remove the AIADMK party flag that was tied to the SUV. Her advocate Raja Senthoor Pandian, who received the letter, explained that a case was pending with the Madras high court.

“We will face the case in the court,” he said.

AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran said Sasikala was travelling in Sambangi’s SUV. “Sambangi is also travelling with her in the same vehicle,” he said, while asking police to show restraint. “Police officials should be non-partisan in their actions. We are observing their actions,” he told reporters.

“Chinnamma’s car developed a technical snag and on hearing this, I offered my car for her journey,” Sambangi told TOI.

In Chennai, fisheries minister D Jayakumar termed Sasikala and Dhinakaran as “DMK’s B-team” who have nothing to do with the AIADMK. “Sasikala has no right to use the AIADMK flag and she is in no way connected with the party,” he said.

Jayakumar said he was reflecting the party’s stand and not making any individual comment. “What I say is not my individual opinion. It is the stand of the party and I am reflecting it. The chief minister (Edappadi K Palaniswami) has made it clear,” said Jayakumar.