'No respect for senior leaders in DMDK'

Tiruchirapalli, Jan 2: Former Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDMK) state election wing secretary K Ponnusamy today justified his joining the ruling DMK by quitting the DMDK.

Talking to newspersons here, Prof Ponnusamy said he took the decision to quit the DMDK as no respect was given to a senior leader like him.

There was a widening gap between the DMDK leadership and the cadres as the party was run like a 'private limited company' and not a political party, he charged.

Alleging that nomination of office-bearers was made by collecting huge amounts, he said actor-turned founder-leader of the DMDK Vijaykanth had confused himself and the partymen by issuing contradictory statements on the question of alliance with other parties in future elections.

He said about 5,000 of his supporters from Tiruchirapalli district would join the DMK in the presence of Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi in Chennai tomorrow.

UNI