TTV Dinakaran, the ‘independent’ MlA, was the cynosure of all eyes on the opening day of this year’s legislative Assembly session on Monday with the customary address of the Governor Banwarilal Purohit.
While the principal Opposition party DMK with its allies the Congress and the Muslim league boycotted the Governor’s address, Dhinakaran sat through the speech with rapt attention. But two MlA’s who had got elected in the 2016 Assembly election in the AIADMK symbol joined the DMK and walked out of the House when the Governor began his 50 minutes long speech. This was the first day of Dhinakaran in the House while this was the first address by the Governor who had assumed office in October 17.
The seats of the 18 rebel MlA’s who were disqualified by the Speaker for their representation to the then Governor expressing their decision to withdraw support to Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy remained vacant. later speaking to journalists after the session, Dhinkaran said there was nothing new or encouraging or inspiring in the Governor’s address to the House.
Dinakaran’s decision not to stage walk out is being seen by political commentators as a sign that all is not over for the AIADK which is on the verge of disintegration due to internal wrangle. “Dhinakaran is an intelligent politician and he is bidding his time to take over the AIADMK. The fact that he did not join the DMK in the walk out is a reply to those who claim that he is hand in glove with Stalin to topple the Government,” said KA Johny, commentator and writer who is a keen follower of the AIADMK politics.
Thanga Tamilselvan, trusted lieutenant of Dhinakaran said the faction was waiting for the Madras High Court order on the petition submitted by the 18 rebel MlA’s challenging their disqualification by the Speaker. “A change in leadership is imminent in Tamil Nadu. Politics in Tamil Nadu will undergo big change the day the Court delivers the verdict. Many MlA’s are in touch with us and why they are continuing with the Edappadi Palaniswamy faction is only because of their fear that they would lose the membership of the House if they join us,” said Tamilselvan.
The statement made by Kamala Haassan, film actor, ridiculing the voters of RK Nagar as beggars too has put to rest, at least for the time being, the animosity between the the two factions. Both the factions were united in their criticism of Kamal Haassan, whom they accuse of humiliating the voters. Dhinakaran and senior Minister D Jayakumar were unanimous in their criticism of the actor.
Meanwhile, normal life continued to be disrupted all over Tamil Nadu because of the indefinite agitation launched by the employees of the State Transport Corporation demanding wage hike. The Madras High Court on Monday asked the agitating transport staff to return to work and instructed the Government to address the genuine grievances of the employees. The division bench consisting of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Abdul Quddhose had passed an interim order on Friday restraining the workers from continuing the strike. The Court refused to vacate the interim injunction on Monday.