Jaya accuses DMDK of trying to bring disrepute to AIADMK

Chennai: AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayayalalithaa today charged opposition DMDK and its founder Vijayakanth with trying to bring disrepute to her party, and asked her partymen "not to fall prey to their conspiracy" but

focus on public service.

DMDK will be taught a lesson in the coming elections and the AIADMK supporters should not deviate from discipline the party is known for, Jayalalithaa said. The AIADMK General Secretary's statement comes amid party supporters holding and planning a series of protests against Vijayakanth, Opposition Leader in the state Assembly, in connection with an incident in Thanjavur on Monday which had sparked off a row between the former allies.

Explaining the incident, Jayalalithaa said at a protest meeting headed by Vijayakanth in Thanjavur, a flex board carrying his picture was removed by his own supporters as it blocked the view, as a result of which they could not see him. "Mr Vijayakanth mistook that AIADMK men had removed the flex board and ordered his partymen to remove a photo of mine from a nearby bus shelter which they did," she said. Following this incident enraged AIADMK supporters had staged protests against Vijayakanth, including burning of his effigies, she said, adding she had come to know that they had planned more protests.

"AIADMK is a very disciplined people's movement. There is no need for (my) siblings to stoop to the level like that of DMDK workers. Our only motive is to serve people," she said. "DMDK leader (Vijayakant) and his supporters have behaved in a way to mislead us from our public service and bring disrepute to us among people. I kindly request the party men to not to fall prey to their conspiracy," she said. Jayalalithaa, who had aligned with Vijayakanth for the 2011 polls before the two parted ways later, said the people will teach DMDK "a lesson" in the coming elections. Her party worked by the ideals of duty, dignity and discipline, as laid out by Dravidian veteran CN Annadurai and party founder MG Ramachandran, and supporters should follow these as their "life-breath", she said. She also requested them to not to indulge in protests like burning effigies of Vijayakanth.

The law will take its own course in this matter, she said, asking her partymen to continue public service activities.