Parties like cobras with raised hoods, prepared to kill democracy: Pon Radhakrishnan

Chennai: Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan appears to stoke a controversy by comparing the ruling AIADMK to a “leaning tower” and said people of R. K. Nagar should make a wise decision and vote BJP for development. He accused both the AIADMK and opposition DMK of throwing policies to the wind and involving in distributing cash for votes.

“People are disheartened at the way in which the Dravidian parties be it the AIADMK, DMK or pressure cooker (T. T. V. Dhinakaran), contesting in the R. K. Nagar by-election, like cobras with raised hoods, are prepared to bite and destroy democracy. They are not prepared to talk about their policies,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said while campaigning for his party candidate Karu Nagarajan on Thursday. The distribution of money to voters by those parties, he said, tantamouts to murdering democracy in R. K. Nagar Assembly constituency (facing by-poll on Dec. 21) here.

Earlier this year, in a similar poll campaign for his BJP’s then candidate Gangai Amaran, the Minister while pointing out to the rampant distribution of money during the by-election (which was later cancelled) he had said it would be better to auction the seat if the authorities fail to rein in the brazen distribution of money to voters.

“It is very shameful that those parties are buying people for votes just as cattle is bought,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said and demanded the election officials to contain the money distribution.

Likening the state government to a “leaning tower” he said its continuance has become a question mark as none can predict when a “leaning tower will fall or how long it will remain.” The DMK, Mr. Radhakrishnan said, “is on the verge of destruction” and urged people to ensure a decisive mandate to the BJP for development in the constituency.