Support to Panneerselvam-led govt was issue-based: DMK refutes Sasikala’s charge

In the recent Assembly session, DMK, the main opposition, had supported government on the Jallikattu and NEET issues.

The DMK on Wednesday said that its support to O Panneerselvam was issue-based, refuting ruling AIADMK’s allegation that it was aiding the Tamil Nadu chief minister in his revolt against party’s leadership.

DMK working president MK Stalin at his residence in Chennai. Tamil Nadu’s ruling AIADMK has alleged that the DMK aided chief minister O Panneerselvam in his revolt against the party leadership. (PTI)

“We had never extended our support to chief minister Panneerselvam. We supported the Panneerselvam-led government on certain people’s issues, on certain policies and Bills,” DMK working president MK Stalin said.

Stalin, the opposition leader in the state assembly, was responding to reporters’ queries about his party’s “support” to Panneerselvam, as alleged by AIADMK including its general secretary VK Sasikala.

Sasikala has blamed arch rival DMK for trying to destabilise AIADMK.

In the recent Assembly session, DMK, the main opposition, had supported government on the Jallikattu and NEET issues.

While a bill was tabled to replace an ordinance for conducting the bull-taming sport of Jallikattu, the government also took the legislation route to apparently circumvent the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses.

DMK had supported the government on both issues.

On Panneerselvam’s announcement recommending an inquiry commission to probe “doubts” regarding Jayalalithaa’s health and subsequent death, Stalin said it was a welcome move, albeit delayed.

“We have been seeking constitution of an inquiry commission (since Jayalalithaa’s death) as there was doubts in people’s minds. A proper probe should be held in this matter,” he added.