CHENNAI: In a by-election marred with allegations of bribery, rebel AIADMK leader and independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran emerged shockingly victorious, beating his rival by a clean and wide margin of 40,707 votes. The glorious victory of Sasikala's nephew came on the death anniversary of AIADMK founder MGR. “This government will be ousted in three months. Tamil Nadu people have taught this traitor-AIADMK government a fitting lesson. I am Amma's successor,” Dhinakaran gloated after the results.
His victory set off minor tremors within the newly unified AIADMK that could lead to further desertions by MLAs and MPs. The winner meanwhile called on his aunt and side-lined party leader at the central prison in Bengaluru. A party official said, “The meeting lasted for about half an hour at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, but Sasikala did not speak throughout the meeting as she is observing a vow of silence.” Sasikala has been maintaining silence as a tribute to late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, ever since her death anniversary on December 5. “She will be observing silence till sometime in January,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the ruling AIADMK continued to crack the whip against Dhinakaran supporters post the defeat. AIADMK coordinator O Pannerselvam (OPS) and co-coordinator E Palaniswami (EPS) announced the removing of 44 functionaries from the party's primary membership. They were “removed” since they went against the party's principles and brought “disrepute” to the AIADMK. “Party workers are requested not to have any truck with them,” both the leaders said in a statement.
