CHENNAI: The AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Friday accused Opposition DMK of “trying to scuttle” his nomination from RK Nagar by-election citing the FERA case against him since his victory in the polls was a “foregone conclusion”. Mr Dhinakaran, who has entered the fray in the by-election as a candidate of the newly christened AIADMK (Amma), also said he would settle in the constituency to be available for the people “anytime” once he wins the seat.
“I am already looking for a house in RK Nagar and will settle here after winning the elections. People of Periyakulam showed tremendous love to me as I settled there after winning elections. I will do the same by settling here in RK Nagar though Adyar (where he stays now) is just 30 minutes drive from here,” Mr Dhinakaran said. Talking about the DMK opposing his nomination, Mr Dhinakaran said the Opposition objected to his candidature in Periyakulam Lok Sabha elections in 1999 on the same grounds. “Now even after 20 years, they are opposing me on the same count,” Mr Dhinakaran said, adding that his nomination is being opposed since he is “sure to win” the seat.
Despite the DMK’s objection that his nomination should be rejected since he has been imposed a fine of Rs 28 crore in FERA case, the Returning Officer accepted his nomination since rules clearly say only a person convicted for more than two years is barred from contesting elections. Constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap had told Deccan Chronicle on March 15 that the decision of the Returning Officer, who conducts the by-election, is final. The former MP, who is the nephew of AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, reiterated that he would romp home despite losing the ‘two leaves’ symbol. Mr Dhinakaran is now contesting on the ‘Hat’ symbol.
