’Don’t teach me alliance dharma’: Tamil Nadu’s BJP chief AIADMK’s resolution

Responding to All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AIADMK) resolution against him over his indirect dig at former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai asked the AIADMK not to teach him ‘alliance dharma’.

Addressing the AIADMK, he said, as quoted by India Today, "I understand alliance dharma. No one needs to teach me how to treat alliance party leaders."

Annamalai had indirectly slammed late AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, during an interview with a leading English daily, when he was asked whether the period between 1991-96 was among the worst periods in terms of corruption.

He had said, "Many administrations in Tamil Nadu were corrupt. Former Chief Ministers have been convicted in courts of law. That is why Tamil Nadu has become one of the most corrupt states. I would say it is number one in corruption."

On the AIADMK-BJP alliance, Annamalai said, “I was informed about the resolution passed against me and about the interview given by Jayakumar without understanding what I said. I don't want to make any cheap comments like him, but I owe an explanation to the people.”

“Corruption is a big problem in Tamil Nadu due to which schemes that are supposed to reach the people are lost. Rulers are under the misconception that by giving freebies and money, one can rule the state. I only said what had happened in Tamil Nadu politics,” he said.

“I don't mind accepting a fault if anyone could point out a mistake in what I said in the interview. But at the same time, don't expect me to speak the language of alliance parties. I just want a corruption-free state,” he said.

He also spoke on the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at spots linked to Tamil Nadu Electricity minister V Senthil Kumar as part of a probe in a money laundering case.

“Even today, ED raids are taking place at a minister's residence and his office. This is something that should not happen in my state,” he said.

Calling Annamalai an 'inexperienced politician', Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) chief TTV Dhinakaran launched a scathing attack earlier in the day.

TTV Dhinakaran in a 3-page statement said, "The comments made by Annamalai to an English newspaper about Amma (Jayalalithaa) without knowing any political history show his ignorance and inexperience.”

With agency inputs.