Chennai: Before the Tirunelveli police could arrest him from his residence in Chennai, Karunas got himself admitted to a hospital for ‘chest pain’. And before the Tamilnadu Assembly Speaker could initiate disqualification proceedings against him, the Thiruvadanai MLA sent a letter to the Assembly Secretary, seeking to move a resolution for the removal of Speaker P Dhanapal from his post.
These two moves by the comedian, who has now turned a villain to the ruling dispensation, have stunned even seasoned politicians.
Though sources say Karunas has the backing of DMK president M K Stalin and AMMK founder T T V Dhinakaran and his resolution against the Speaker would be backed in the Assembly by both parties, those in Mukkulathor Puli Padai, the actor-politician’s outfit, say Karunas is not being remote-controlled by anyone.
M Gokulakrishnan, the MLA’s advocate, says, “Karunas was unwell from Tuesday night and complained of chest pain. Following this, he was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday morning. I have submitted the medical records to the police.”
While two disqualified MLAs from Dhinakaran camp had called on Karunas when he was in Vellore prison last week (he came out on bail later), senior DMK leader J Anbazhagan looked up the actor-politician in the hospital Wednesday and ‘enquired about his health condition’.
“These are enough evidences to prove that Karunas has the blessings of Stalin and Dhinakaran. Karunas should not forget that he won on two leaves symbol with the support of Amma (Jayalalithaa) and the hard work of AIADMK workers. If he continues to work against the AIADMK government, he will be put in his place,” says a senior in the ruling party.
Asked about Karunas’ threat that he would expose ‘Koovathur secrets’, the AIADMK office-bearer says, “There are no secrets involving Koovathur and MLAs who stayed in a resort there, including Karunas, unanimously elected Edappadi K Palaniswami as Chief Minister.”
NELLAI POLICE IN CHENNAI
It is learnt that the Tirunelveli police had come to the MLA’s house to arrest him in connection with a case pertaining to the alleged attack on a car belonging to a Thevar Peravai functionary in 2017. Sources say there were a few more complaints against Karunas and action on them can be expected in the days to come.