TN FM says he is taking break from active politics

Chennai, Mar 29: Tamil Nadu Finance Minister and Senior AIADMK Leader C Ponnaiyan, who was denied a party ticket to contest the Assembly elections, today announced he was taking a break from active politics ''due to compelling family circumstances.'' Talking to UNI here, he claimed it was for the same reason he had resigned from the post of AIADMK Presidium Chairman recently.

''I didn't seek a ticket to contest election this time as I am unable to be active in politics at present. However, I am not retiring from public life and will continue to be a loyal soldier of the party,'' he added.

Looking back at his five-year tenure as the Finance Minister in the Jayalalithaa Government, Mr Ponnaiyan said he staged a comeback in politics after a gap of 13 years and done his job as an economist.

He was a member of the MGR Cabinet from 1977 to 1987 and subsequently served as a Minister in the short-lived Janakai Ramachandran Government, which assumed office soon after MGR's death.

Mr Ponnaiyan, who was out of politics since then, came into limelight in 2001 when AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa made him the Finance Minister.

He was elected to the State Assembly from Tiruchengode constituency in 2001, which he represented in 1977, 1980 and 1984.

Denying reports on being stripped of the Presidium Chairman post as he had fallen out of the grace with Ms Jayalalithaa, he shot back ''if it is so, how could I continue to hold the vital portfolios of Finance, Planning, Elections and Legislature? My portfolios are next in importance to the ones held by the Chief Minister and one could handle them only with her grace and blessing.'' He said such news were spread by vested interests in the Opposition camp as he had been engaged in a tirade against them for decades.

Mr Ponnaiyan said he would campaign for the AIADMK in the ensuing elections if 'time permits.' Stating he had maintained utmost integrity and probity in public life, he leader said he had been a honest administrator since 1977. 'However, there may be ups and downs in one's political career.' Expressing gratitude to Ms Jayalalithaa, he said 'though I have never shared in her sorrow and sufferings during the 13 years when I was away from politics, she gave me the responsibility of undertaking fiscal reforms in the state and I am happy with my contribution.' About his position now, he said 'it is natural to give importance to those who were at her side at the time of her suffering.' Expressing confidence that the AIADMK would win the May eight Assembly elections, he said Ms Jayalalithaa's personality cult would win her women's votes in toto.

The DMK camp's projection of Mr Karunanidhi as the next Chief Minister could not be sold to the people as his failing health had rendered him incapable of carrying out the functions, he said.

On his immediate plans, Mr Ponnaiyan said his family was running pharmaceutical and chemical companies at global level and he would assist in their growth.

UNI