AIADMK hits back at DMK for 'not accepting people's verdict'

DMK "as usual" has started its blame game and has also hit out at the Election Commission, which showed "DMK's obstinacy and tall talk," AIADMK said

Chennai, Nov 24: A day after DMK termed AIADMK's win in the November 19 polls in three constituencies in Tamil Nadu as an "artificial victory", the ruling party today hit back, saying it showed the main opposition party's obstinacy and tall talk instead of accepting the people's mandate.

"Rather than respecting and accepting it (poll outcome) as a great verdict of people's power and reforming itself," DMK "as usual" has started its blame game and has also hit out at the Election Commission, which showed "DMK's obstinacy and tall talk," AIADMK said.

In its party mouthpiece Dr Namadhu MGR, the ruling party said that by doing so, "DMK was trying to hide its betrayals" and cited the methane exploration project for which an MoU was signed in early 2011 during the Karunanidhi-led party's previous regime.

DMK treasurer M K Stalin, as the then Deputy CM, signed an MoU for a coal bed methane project which was vehemently opposed by farmers of Cauvery Delta region. The AIADMK daily also criticised DMK candidates who contested the November 19 polls.

Yesterday DMK chief M Karunanidhi had said that AIADMK's victory was nothing "new" and dubbed it an "artificial victory." He had also said that "DMK's hard work could not stand before misuse of authority and money power."

He had also blamed the Election Commission for "indirect support," besides claiming "distribution of money," without elaborating much on both counts. Despite the hospitalisation of party supremo and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, AIADMK continued its winning streak and romped home in Thanjavur and Aravakurichi polls and the Thiruparankundram bypoll.

AIADMK had wrested the Aravakkurichi seat from DMK and retained Thanjavur and Thiruparankundram by margins ranging from more than 20,000 to 42,000 votes, dealing a blow to its Dravidian arch rival.

PTI