Spoke of 'secret pact' between AIADMK and BJP: TNCC chief

Chennai, Aug 20: Amid continuing protests against his alleged remarks on the meeting between Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu state Congress President E V K S Elangovan today said he had only spoken of a "secret pact" between AIADMK and the BJP and claimed that his "political view" was twisted.

"I had said that AIADMK and BJP had reached a secret understanding aimed at selfish political mileage without keeping in mind the interests of Tamil Nadu," Elangovan said.

"It is anguishing that protests are being held to twist my political view and to oppose it," he said in a release. AIADMK strongly condemned his remarks today also in party daily Dr Namadhu MGR, pointed to the objectionable words Elangovan allegedly used on August 14 and slammed him as a "stooge of DMK chief Karunanidhi."

The ruling party also slammed Elangovan "for refusing to realise his mistake." On August 14, participating in a protest held by his party seeking prohibition, Elangovan had allegedly used certain words while referring to the Modi-Jayalalithaa meeting here, which has been strongly opposed by AIADMK and BJP.

Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, AISMK, Puratchi Baratham and Gandhiya Makkal Iyakkam are among parties which have denounced Elangovan's remarks.

DMK and MDMK leaders called on the TNCC president on Tuesday, expressing solidarity with him. The state government filed a defamation complaint against Elangovan on Tuesday and BJP too has said it would file such cases.

In a press meet here yesterday, a verbal duel ensued between Elangovan and a reporter after the latter posed a question over the former's alleged remarks. The scribe was allegedly roughed by Congress workers for posing the question, an incident which was condemned by the Chennai Press Club.

PTI