AIADMK leader Jayakumar slams TN BJP chief Annamalai for taking a ‘dig’ at Jayalalithaa

Annamalai, in an interview with a leading English daily, said they will question any government that swindled the public exchequer. “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,” Annamalai said when he was asked whether the period between 1991-96 (when Jayalalithaa was at the helm) was among the worst periods in terms of corruption.

The statement from Annamalai led to a storm on Twitter with AIADMK functionaries slamming the BJP leader. Addressing reporters in Chennai, Jayakumar called the BJP leader a novice who does not know the history of Tamil Nadu politics.

“Instead of criticising the DMK… passing comments against an alliance partner is not acceptable. We strongly condemn his statement. AIADMK workers wish to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi get elected again (in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls). But Annamalai’s action just implies that he does not want the AIADMK and the BJP alliance to continue and Modi to become the prime minister again,” he said.

“If elections were held now, the AIADMK-led alliance is capable of winning close to 30 Lok Sabha seats,” Jayakumar said, adding that the alliance has the prospect of winning all 40 seats including Puducherry with six to eight months still left for the polls.

He said Annamalai was appointed as the poll co-in-charge for the Karnataka assembly polls and the BJP failed to make a mark. Jayakumar also asked why did the former police officer not comment on corruption charges levelled against the erstwhile BJP government in Karnataka.

“Passing comments against a dead person, a leader, is highly condemnable. After 20 years, the BJP managed to win four seats in the (2021) assembly polls and it was due to the AIADMK. Can Annamalai deny that? It is due to the fact they are part of the AIADMK-led alliance that the BJP has an identity here. Amit Shah and (BJP President) J P Nadda should warn Annamalai, they should control him. If that does not happen, I do not wish to comment further, the party will take a call on the alliance in due time,” he added.

The cold war between the AIADMK and the BJP has been prevailing for the past several months with leaders from both sides criticising each other. In March, Annamalai said he was a leader like Jayalalithaa. Jayakumar then said that Annamalai cannot compare himself to a supreme leader like Amma.

Amid ongoing tension, last month, the leaders of the party met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami said there were no issues between them. However, the latest spat has once again raised doubts about the relationship between the two parties and whether they will come together for the 2024 polls.