Chennai: TTV Dhinakaran’s close aide and a prominent face of AMMK, V Senthil Balaji, along with hundreds of his supporters and mid-level functionaries from his erstwhile party, joined the DMK today from where he kick-started his political career.
The former Minister met DMK president M K Stalin today at the Anna Arivalayam here and formally enrolled himself in the DMK.
Speaking to reporters later, he said, “a true leader is the one who mingles with people and cares for them. Stalin is the real leader. I joined the DMK due as per the wish of Karur people. I will work hard for the DMK’s victory in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. We will make Stalin the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.”
He came down heavily on Dhinakaran, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and said people voted only for Jayalalithaa in 2016 Assembly elections and not for the above leaders.
It is to be noted that Balaji is the first senior AIADMK and AMMK leader to join the DMK after the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. He served as the Transport Minister in Jayalalithaa’s cabinet.
His entry into DMK could strengthen the party’s position in the Kongu region and especially in Karur constituency where Senthil Balaji has a strong support base. In 2011, Senthil Balaji was elected as Karur’s MLA.
| Dhinakaran too will go to DMK: AIADMK |
| Fisheries Minister and senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar today said that AMMK cadres and leaders joining DMK is an indication that soon even TTV Dhinakaran would follow them.
Taking a pot shot at Dhinakaran, Jayakumar said, “This is just the beginning. Everyone including TTV will soon join DMK. Sending Senthil Balaji first to join the DMK is just an unwritten agreement.” Reacting to the developments, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) propaganda secretary Thanga Tamilselvan said, “Senthil Balaji could have at least joined AIADMK or stayed in AMMK. Him joining DMK does not feel right. He (Balaji) did not express any dissatisfaction with AMMK or the leadership in our party to anyone. That is why in an earlier interview I said he will not leave the party.” |