K Palanisami hits out at Panneerselvam through anecdote, denies change in ministry
Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami on Saturday came with an anecdote against a leader of ants who took to meditation and was later ruined due to vanity, apparently hitting out at former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, besides those trying to emerge as faction leaders within his own party. Inaugurating the Yercaud flower show in his home district of Salem, he said a group of ants elected one of them as their leader. The pious ant took to meditation suddenly and when God appeared before it since it was the leader of ants, it said my bite should result in death. After God granted its wish, it tested the boon on God himself, biting him. But, God struck him and the ant died. When the dying ant asked why the God's boon failed, the almighty said you did not say the bite should result in death those who were bitten. Palanisami said a leader should have humility and patience.
Listing his achievements for Salem district, he said the Mettur dam which was desilted in 1934 would be desilted again. He also asserted that the portrait of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa would be unveiled in the Assembly since she was the Chief Minister for six terms. Rejecting opposition to the move, he said placing her portrait in the Assembly would be an honour to the Legislature itself.
Explaining the Chief Minister's speech, Finance Minister D. Jayakumar said he was giving a message of unity and added that the government would remain for four years if the MLAs were united. Earlier, speaking to the media he said DMK had started desilting water bodies after the government started the programme to desilt lakes and water bodies under the Kudimaramathu scheme. He also said the district secretaries meeting would be held on May 29 to discuss party's development works. On the merger issue, he said both the factions are holding talks and hoped that merger would take place.
He also denied changes in the ministry and added that MLAs met him to discuss their constituency problems. Palanisami also said his government did not discriminate along caste lines.
