CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday accused the ruling Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) of indulging in “dirty politics” and engineering defections after the Joseph Vijay-led party won a confidence vote in the state assembly with support from allies and the rebel AIADMK faction.
“Though the numbers required for the government to survive have been achieved due to the stand of our allied partners, what has the current ruling party done? Those who came to power talking about clean politics are now doing dirty politics,” said Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president.
In a social media post, Stalin said TVK tried to fish in troubled waters with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and bought off its legislators.
“Is this pure force or a force that kidnaps members of other parties? Even people who voted for Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam have started speaking with regret,” he asked.
The proof of this lies in TVK’s actions over the past three days, Stalin added.
With two factions emerging within the AIADMK over the decision to support TVK, around 25 MLAs led by former AIADMK minister C Ve Shanmugham and SP Velumani on Wednesday extended their support to TVK, prompting AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to term it as a “betrayal” of the party.
Referring to his party colleagues led by Opposition Leader Udhyanidhi Stalin, who had staged a walkout, Stalin said: “In accordance with my stand that the DMK will not be an obstacle to the formation or continuation of the TVK government, the DMK members boycotted the confidence vote and walked out.”
The 73-year-old leader also expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the alliance party, including Disiya Murpukku Dravida Kazhagam, Manithanya Makkal Katchi and Manithanya Jananayaga Katchi, for organizing a strike.
Stalin said that he respects the stand taken by the Left parties, Indian Muslim League and Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi, as they voted in favor of the government on the principle of not imposing President’s rule in Tamil Nadu.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Wednesday won the vote of confidence in the state assembly, securing 144 votes with support from alliance partners including Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), two Left parties and a faction of the AIADMK led by SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugham.
