TVK Slams DMK's A Raja Over 'Bent Coconut Tree' Jibe

DMK deputy general secretary A Raja, with a penchant for making controversial remarks, alluded the two parties joining the TVK Cabinet as a "coconut tree bending towards a neighbour". Raja said in a veiled reference "if the coconut tree in my garden bends and offers tender coconut to the neighbour, in literature it would be called 'muttathengu' (coconut tree in the courtyard). What name should we give it in politics". He ended by uttering "long live Tamil., Raja said on 'X'.

Both VCK and IUML had earlier clarified that they extended the support to TVK government to prevent President's rule in the state, and that DMK chief M K Stalin was aware of their "independent" decision. Besides them, the Left parties and Congress too supported TVK in forming the government.

Reacting sharply to the "bent coconut tree" jibe, the VCK said it did not grow at the mercy of other parties.

Taking strong exception, the VCK said it did not grow at the mercy of other parties. The party's sweat and blood sustained the vote bank of the oppressed people and aided in the victory of the coalition parties, it claimed. "What right do other parties have to talk about party defection? Whose history is it that they allied with the Sangh Parivar (BJP) to defeat the Congress? Whose 'selfishness' is it that they were part of the Vajpayee cabinet and then opposed the same BJP? Tamil Nadu has seen many such political dramas," the VCK said on 'X'.