CHENNAI: AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran on Thursday stated that his party would remain steadfast in its support for the AIADMK during challenging times and would not abandon its allies for the sake of power or positions. He did not dismiss the prospect of a merger between the AIADMK and AMMK, remarking, "Let's wait and see."
Possibility of Merger Discussed
When questioned about the potential for an AIADMK-AMMK merger, Dhinakaran noted that supporters of both parties have been actively discussing the idea on social media platforms. However, he emphasized that no such proposal has been formally presented to the leadership of either party. "There have been discussions among cadres and supporters, but no senior leader has raised the issue. No one has approached me for discussions on a merger," he told reporters. Nonetheless, Dhinakaran stopped short of completely ruling out the possibility, reiterating, "Let's wait and see."
Commitment to NDA
Dhinakaran reaffirmed the AMMK's unwavering commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stating that the party's alliance with the BJP and AIADMK remains intact. Taking a swipe at the DMK's allies, he accused several political party leaders of shifting their positions for power and cabinet berths, while masking their intentions under the pretext of preventing President's rule in Tamil Nadu. "If I had wanted to join hands with the ruling party, I could have done it. But I remained true to my alliance partners as their efforts aided our victory in one seat," he said, alluding to the fact that the party's single MLA had been taken away through illegal means.
Criticism of Former AIADMK Ministers
Targeting former AIADMK ministers who recently joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Dhinakaran advised party functionaries to work with the leadership to rebuild after an electoral defeat, rather than switching sides. "Many are joining the ruling party. They fail to realise that they, too, were among the reasons for the party's defeat," he said. Referring to former ministers Udumalai K Radhakrishnan and Kadambur C Raju, who were reportedly made to wait outside TVK's headquarters for hours, Dhinakaran expressed sympathy, saying, "I feel sorry for them."
Dismissal of Mass Defection Claims
Dhinakaran dismissed as "untrue" the claims that AMMK functionaries from several districts had shifted en masse to TVK. He urged party members to remain united and focused on the party's goals.
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