A ruling AIADMK parliamentarian in Tamil Nadu has threatened to cut off the tongue of anyone who questions Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s health while asking her to step down.
Namakkal MP PR Sundaram made the remarks in response to opposition DMK leader M Karunanidhi’s statement suggesting Jayalalithaa should step down and rest as she was unwell.
“Karunanidhi wants Amma to take rest. What’s your age? He’s 93 and he says he wants to live for 100 years. He doesn’t want to hand over power to his son,” said an angry-looking Sundaram.
“As an MP I have to be restrained. If anyone speaks about revolutionary leader Amma, his tongue will be cut off,” he said.
Rival parties had made several pointed comments following Jayalalithaa’s 10-day absence from work earlier this month.
While DMK’s Karunanidhi said the 67-year-old Jayalalithaa should quit, Congress’ EVKS Ilangovan demanded a clarification from the government on whether the CM was ill. Jayalalithaa later returned to work on July 15.
Jayalalithaa’s party later denied that the leader plans to travel abroad for a liver transplant, saying such reports had only been put forward by DMK for furthering their own agenda.
After being jailed on the basis of corruption charges last year, Jayalalithaa had returned as a state legislator on July 4 following her acquittal in May. She then won a by-election in the state by a record margin. The election was needed to formalize her return as Tamil Nadu CM.
(Photo Courtesy: NDTV)
