Decision on allies at right time: Jayalalithaa

She also gave her party a shot in the arm ahead of the Assembly polls. In her address to the party’s executive and general council, she asked her party functionaries to bury their differences so that they can effectively tackle the opposition. “Do remember to campaign about the anti people measures of the DMK”, she said adding that the AIADMK was the only party to have ruled Tamil Nadu for six terms. She was confident that it would continue to rule for the seventh term.

“We aligned with some parties during the earlier Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the party faced elections on its own. As a result, the AIADMK emerged as the third largest party in the Lok Sabha wi-th 37 MPs, after the ruling BJP (282) and Opposition Congress (then 44)”, she said. “Like that, I will take the right decision (at the appropriate time) for the ensuing 2016 assembly polls”, she said.

Citing an instance, she said the DMK was spinning a story on Chennai floods and linking it with the release of Chembarambakkam reservoir. “It was an unprecedented rain, which the state had not received over the past 100 years. The chief secretary had issued a statement with facts, but the opposition has been targeting the government with lies.

“The local PWD officials concerned maintain water bodies and the engineers are vested with powers to release water from dams. This routine was something followed in any regime during monsoon. The Chief Ministers pass orders only to release water for irrigation purposes. So where was the question of the Chief Minister ordering release of surplus from Chembarambakkam dam during deluge,” she asked.

Slamming DMK chief M. Karunanidhi and his son M. K. Stalin, she said the DMK government had earlier “betrayed” Tamils and made the state suffer power-cuts for hours. The DMK gave approval for methane extraction in Cauvery river bed. The party hardly did anything for Sri Lankan Tamils. “People have not forgotten and they will not forgive them,” she said.

She alleged that another propaganda promoted by DMK was that industries were heading to neighbouring Karnataka, but this again was fabricated. Karnataka was now facing a power crisis and drought.

Due to drought, Karnataka had rescheduled the investors’ meet to February. So where was the proof of industries going to other states, she asked.

Party presidium chairman E.Madhusudhanan proposed the resolution that was seconded by all general council members and other invitees. The party members also passed resolutions thanking Jayalalithaa for the speedy relief provided to the flood hit victims of Tamil Nadu. A resolution was also adopted praying God to grant her a long and healthy life.

The general council condoled the death of 596 party men, including those who committed suicide, after Jayalalithaa was convicted by a Karnataka court in the assets case.

The party also demanded the Centre to amend the Performing Animals Act and ensure that jallikattu is revived for this Pongal.