Stalin raises doubts over statement of Jayalalithaa

The DMK on Monday raised doubts over Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s first communication since her hospitalisation that she had taken a “rebirth”, wondering whether it was indeed made by her since it had no mention of the “people’s sufferings” post the currency demonetisation move by the Centre.

DMK treasurer and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly MK Stalin said “we are happy” if Jayalalithaa had recovered as mentioned by herself on Sunday.

However, “It is regrettable that there was no mention of the sufferings of the people,” he said, referring to the problems encountered by the citizens following the Centre’s demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes which has resulted in serpentine queues at banks and ATMs.

“So, what I suspect is, whether she herself had released the statement or if it was someone else from behind the screen,” Stalin told reporters. “In her statement, she did not mentioned about the suffering of the people following the demonetisation. She had only sought votes for the elections in Thanjavur and Aravakurichi Assembly segments and by-polls to Thirupparankundram and Nellithope (in Puducherry),” he said.

“There was no announcement of any worthwhile steps to mitigate the problems of the people who are now not able to buy even essential needs on account of shortage of currency notes, nor was there even a small consolation for the citizens from her,” Stalin added.

“If it was a statement released in Jayalalithaa’s name (by someone else), then it amounts to misleading their own party workers,” he said.