Chennai: Every other day, rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran has been addressing the media replying to mostly hostile questions from scribes. The RK Nagar MLA is familiar with names of reporters in Chennai and the organisation they work for. In fact after answering unfriendly questions, Dhinakaran in a lighter vein asks reporters that will they ask the same question to leaders like EPS, OPS and M.K. Stalin.
During every press meet, he also updates the names of his archrivals that he has decided not to take questions related to them. The latest is minister D. Jayakumar. “Let’s not waste our time on him,” he says sporting a big smile and moves on to the next question.
Unlike the press conferences of AIADMK and DMK leaders, TTV press conferences’ lasts more than half-an-hour. Besides the voice bytes, he also cracks jokes inviting peals of laughter among reporters and the police who eavesdrop.
He also reminds reporters not to repeat questions already asked by their editors during previous interviews. At times he also behaves like a referee answering the reporters on first come first serve basis - ignoring pressure from senior reporters.
When a Thanthi TV reporter asked about the recent I-T raids, he recalled how his media group along with I-T department ‘exposed’ the gold and diamonds seizure unearthed from his house. “Media has responsible role please don’t imitate your editor” was the subtle response he gave with smile saying “no diamonds and gold were unearthed from any of my property”. When a Sun TV scribe reiterated to TTV that he is sidelined from the party and is likely to be arrested and jailed anytime, the cool politician smiled back and said I know you work for Sun TV, but this is not a Jaya TV – Sun TV fight. I am young, I will fight the foisted cases against me and will re-enter politics.
TTV also waits for print journalists who wants to get the minuscule details and is always in no hurry to rush up a press conference. TTV has something similar to that of DMK leader Duraimurugan who is always ready to face the reporters and their queries.
During his RK Nagar campaign when a Jaya TV anchor compared TTV Dhinakaran with party founder MGR on live, Dhinakaran shot back asking the correspondent not to compare leaders with him. “They are all great leaders, I am just following them, TTV said amidst applause from RK Nagar voters,” he said.
