AIADMK may scout for allies; Jayalalithaa launches attack on Opposition

Giving ample indications for the first time that her party was not averse to forging alliances to face next year's assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday said she would take a right decision over it in sync with the circumstances.

She also launched a blistering attack on opposition parties in particular DMK over the issue of release of surplus waters from Chembarambakkam Reservoir, which they had alleged led to unprecedented flooding in several parts of the city and suburbs early this month, and asked her partymen to expose the "lies". "You should peel off-the false mask of DMK and explain the truth to the people," she told the AIADMK's General Council, referring to a proposed protest here by Karunanidhi on January 5 on the issue.

Jayalalithaa, who had shown disinterest in forging alliances after the 2011 assembly polls, appeared to be open for tie-ups for the coming electoral battle. "There is no specific strategy to face polls. For instance, we aligned with some parties for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and some parties for the 2011 Assembly polls.

"Similarly, for the Assembly elections I will take a correct decision according to the situation prevalent at that point in time," she said. Her remarks assume significance as the DMK has already started wooing potential allies, especially actor-politician Vijayakant, whose DMDK emerged the principal opposition in the assembly having fought the 2011 polls in alliance with AIADMK.

However, the AIADMK-DMDK alliance fell apart soon after the polls. BJP, which is seeking to expand its presence in the state, is also keen to rope in the DMDK in the NDA while PMK has already announced it would lead a front for the polls.

Earlier in the day, the AIADMK general council, the party's key-decision making body, authorised Jayalalithaa to take all election-related decisions. "In order to ensure AIADMK's victory in the 2016 assembly elections, this general council authorises party General Secretary Amma (as Jayalalithaa is popularly known) to take all election-related decisions," the resolution, proposed by Presidium Chairman E Madhusudhnan and seconded by all GC members, said.

In her address at the council meeting, Jayalalithaa dwelt with all major issues used by the opposition to target her regime.  Jayalalithaa dubbed as "lies, and a false propaganda" the opposition claims over flood-management and release of water from Chembarambakkam Reservoir. "The recent rains were unprecedented in the past 100 years. That is why its adverse effects were very high, my government has taken all necessary steps to rescue the (flood-hit) people," she said.

"Those who know the truth are aware that the heavy water logging in districts including Chennai was due to the huge floods caused by the unprecedented rains," she said. However, "a false propaganda" had been unleashed by several opposition parties that there was a delay in release of (surplus) waters from Chembarambakkam. "They falsely claim that a very huge volume of water was released suddenly from the Chembarambakkam Reservoir," she said adding the opposition also alleged it happened as "I did not order opening the reservoir at the appropriate time." Rubbishing such claims, she said,"it is the all-time practice that the release of water is carried out by the concerned engineer in accordance with the flood waters management rules."

Similarly, for irrigation purposes the Chief Minister gave orders, she said and cited instances during DMK regime to buttress her argument. On the argument that flooding could have been averted had storage been capped at 75 per cent in the reservoir, she cited the clarification of the State Chief Secretary. "Even if it had been done the release could have been delayed only by two hours and River Adyar was flooded due to discharge from many other lakes and heavy rainfall," she quoted the Chief Secretary as saying.

Ridiculing Opposition, she said, "if Opposition parties do not understand this they can learn about it by reading the lesson time and work in Eighth standard math textbook." Although the State Chief Secretary had clarified, the Opposition parties were repeating the same lies, she said. The official had clarified that the water release was staggered and how it was increased. Also, the people living on river banks were forewarned, she noted.
Targeting the DMK over their claim that industries were migrating to Karnataka, she said "it was a lie too, the truth is that no firm has gone there from here." "Since the Assembly election is nearing, DMK will unleash lies, you must be very vigilant to expose them," she said directing her Ministers to respond to such statements then and there. "Party workers should read such rejoinders and understand the truth and convey them to the people."

Mocking at DMK Treasurer M K Stalin for his recent 'Namakku Name' campaign to mobilise support for his party, she said his party decided to "unpack its bundles of lies" (against the ruling party) as it had understood that they "cannot expect anti-incumbency against the AIADMK." "We should secure a massive victory in the Assembly elections and form the government to serve the Tamil Nadu people," she said and asked her party men to remind the people of DMK's "betrayal," of the public.

She also listed several issues including the Sri Lankan Tamils issue to blame the DMK. "Opposition parties would utter lies to blame us, you must explain the truth to the people," she said. On her regime's performance, she said,"We have done immeasurable achievements in the past four and a half years. Your beloved sister's government is implementing various social welfare schemes with an intention of Tamil Nadu achieving true inclusive growth."

She listed schemes including free of cost mixie, grinder, fans, milch cows, goats, and Amma brand of low-cost chain of eateries, cement, salt and pharmacies. Getting Cauvery Tribunal's final award published in the gazette, increasing the storage level in the Mullaperiyar Dam to 142 feet from 136 feet through "legal struggle," were also mentioned by her as 'achievements'.

"Nobody can deny that this achievement became possible only due to me. Only due to my untiring efforts did power cuts became a thing of the past, a bad dream," she said. In a gesture of acknowledging the work of cadres, she said, "I grew up (in party and stature) because of you." Seeking to enthuse them, she said, "it will always be victory for the AIADMK, each and every AIADMK member should take pride in being soldiers of the party."