'A curse on Tamil Nadu': TTV Dhinakaran tears into the TVK government on the eve of the bypolls

TIRUPPUR: AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Saturday launched one of the sharpest attacks yet on the TVK government, warning that a Vijay-led administration would be 'a curse' for Tamil Nadu and holding the chief minister personally responsible for the Dharapuram bypoll. Addressing reporters in Dharapuram, where voting is scheduled for October 6, Dhinakaran compared the impact of a TVK government to the El Nino weather phenomenon. 'Just as El Nino affects us, a TVK government under Chief Minister Vijay would be a curse for us,' he said. Dhinakaran claimed Dharapuram has traditionally been an AIADMK stronghold and noted that the party had won the constituency only four months ago in the Assembly election. The bypoll, he alleged, was forced on the constituency by the resignation of its elected representative, and he demanded that the Election Commission take strict action against elected members who resign shortly after being voted in. 'The chief minister is responsible for this by-election,' he alleged. The AMMK leader further claimed that Vijay had secured the support of around 25 AIADMK MLAs through promises, while crediting AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami with acting 'magnanimously' in the affair. Dhinakaran said he had visited the Governor's residence after receiving an invitation and claimed there had been attempts to negotiate with an AMMK MLA. Dhinakaran also accused Vijay of presenting himself as a 'pure force' while lowering political standards through his statements and actions, and mocked the chief minister's campaign style, referring to his recent roadshows and tractor-driving rallies. He questioned the political credentials of present-day leaders, remarking that those who brought political change to Tamil Nadu in 1967 and 1977 were known to the people. The Dharapuram and Madurantakam bypolls on October 6 are being watched as the first electoral test of the TVK government, with the BJP backing the AIADMK in both seats amid a swirl of allegations and counter-allegations, including claims of cash and gift distribution. The TVK had not responded to Dhinakaran's remarks at the time of publication. Political observers note that Dhinakaran's intervention adds another front to an already bitter contest. The NTK has separately alleged that TVK workers distributed tiffin boxes, Rs 6,000 in cash and silver coins to voters, charges the TVK has refuted. With barely two days left for polling, the campaign has turned into a contest of accusations over defections, deletions and inducements -- and the voters of Dharapuram and Madurantakam will deliver the first verdict on whether the TVK's cinema-charisma converts into durable political trust.