Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 18 : MDMK Principal Secretary and Tiruchirappalli MP Durai Vaiko on Thursday hit back at former Tamil Nadu Minister KN Nehru over his reported remarks that he wanted to join the DMK, saying he was pressured to contest on the party's Rising Sun symbol.
Speaking to reporters at his Tiruchirappalli parliamentary constituency office about Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s foreign visit, Durai Vaiko said he had read in an English daily that investments worth Rs 17,000 crore had been attracted and that employment opportunities for around 10,000 people were expected to be created.
He said he had also learnt about the companies with which agreements had reportedly been signed.
“Actor Ajith participating in the car race held there can be seen as a matter of pride. If global-level competitions are held in Chennai, the Chief Minister is taking initiatives for them. That itself is a major investment,” he said.
“If you want to know more details about the Chief Minister’s foreign visit, you should ask the Chief Minister and the Minister concerned. I was pressured to contest on the Rising Sun symbol,” he added.
Responding to KN Nehru’s reported statement that he had wanted to join the DMK, Durai Vaiko said, “Immediately after I was announced as the candidate, I was pressured to contest on the Rising Sun symbol. I was told that if I contested on another symbol, DMK cadres themselves would not cooperate with me. They put pressure on me even on the stage during an event at Anna Arivalayam. I was wearing a black shirt that day, and I was even asked to change it."
“I said even if I die, I will not contest on the Rising Sun symbol. The entire Tamil Nadu saw that,” he added.
Durai Vaiko said he had entered politics for his father, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, and not because of any personal ambition.
“I entered politics by accident. I entered politics for my father. I did not enter politics because of any personal desire,” he said.
He became emotional while speaking about his political role and said he was working to remain trustworthy to the people of Tiruchirappalli and his party.
“I want to remain in Tiruchirappalli with a good name. I want to do as much good as possible for this city and leave after doing something useful,” he said.
Referring to remarks he attributed to KN Nehru, Durai Vaiko said, “KN Nehru has spoken on several occasions. He had belittled the present Leader of the Opposition (Udhaynithi Stalin) by saying that politics had ended with the era of former CM Kalaignar and that politics could not be carried out by using this young man.”
“This is Nehru. I do not want to speak beyond this. I am engaged in public service and doing good for the people. You should take that message to the people,” he said.
Durai Vaiko also accused unnamed individuals of making personal attacks against him and claimed that some people who had left his party were being operated by people within the DMK.
“Even when we were in an alliance, they spoke about me in such a derogatory and defamatory manner. Now that there is no alliance, they are speaking even more harshly. I want to do public service and practise good politics. If you engage in personal attacks and speak in such a vulgar manner, I am not someone who will be afraid. I also know this politics,” he said.
“Tell your party leader through your Minister that attempts to intimidate me will not work,” he added.
He further said that such actions would only make him more determined politically.
“The more you engage in such activities, the more I will become interested in this politics. I will intensify my political response. I have no reason to be afraid of anything,” he said.
‘If this continues, I will reveal many things,’ he warned.
Durai Vaiko said KN Nehru’s style was to attack people either directly or indirectly.
“No one can threaten me,” he said.
“Please stop this here. If you continue doing such things, I too will bring many things out into the open. I know many things. There will be a situation where I will have to speak about everything,” he warned.
Durai Vaiko, however, said he continued to respect Nehru’s political work.
“I will always respect the hard work of Nehru. Belittling others and practising petty politics will not happen with me,” he said.
“If you respect me, I will respect you. If you do something in return, I will devote my full time to responding to it,” he added.