‘Vijay on shopping spree of AIADMK MLAs’: Stalin calls TVK govt BJP’s ‘xerox copy’

M.K. Stalin accused Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s government of acting as a “xerox copy” of the BJP (File Photo)

CHENNAI: DMK president M K Stalin on Saturday accused chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s govt of functioning as a “xerox copy” of the BJP and alleged that it was attempting to weaken the opposition by inducting AIADMK MLAs. The CM is in “shopping spree of AIADMK MLAs”, he said. Addressing the party’s women’s wing meeting at Anna Arivalayam, Stalin said Vijay was replicating the BJP’s political model in states where ruling parties engineered defections from opposition ranks. He said the induction of opposition MLAs undermined democratic values and embarrassed parties that had supported TVK in forming the govt.Turning to women’s safety, Stalin said Vijay had promised a secure environment for women before the elections. However, he alleged that several recent crimes against women reported in the state involved TVK functionaries.It is the need of the hour to protect the women from the TVK cadres, he said. Referring to the sexual abuse complaint from Srivaikuntam, Stalin alleged that the victim was a TVK member and that the accused were linked to the ruling party. Instead of taking action against those responsible, the party removed the complainant from its ranks, he claimed.The DMK chief also criticised four AIADMK MLAs who resigned their seats and joined the ruling party within weeks of the assembly election. “They resigned before the ink (on their fingers) had dried. They did it within 21 days. What offer was given to them?” he asked.He also took a swipe at Vijay’s repeated call to supporters to remain confident. If the cm was confident about his govt’s position, there would be no need to seek support from opposition legislators or poach other party’s legislators, Stalin said.Clarifying his recent remarks on the TVK govt, which stoked a controversy, Stalin said his statement was misinterpreted. He had not intended to criticise the new administration during its initial months. But developments over the past three months had made it impossible for the opposition to remain silent, he said. Rejecting suggestions that the DMK was trying to destabilise the govt, Stalin said the party would continue to function as a strong opposition and hold the govt accountable. He urged women cadres to intensify their efforts to bring the DMK back to power in the next election.