Even 'thousand Dhinakarans' can't affect AIADMK, says Palaniswamy after rebel faction leader claims Tamil Nadu govt 'won't last'

Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswamy on Friday slammed sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran (name also spelled as Dinakaran) for his criticism against the ruling camp, saying even a “thousand Dhinakarans” cannot affect the party. “Nothing can be done to AIADMK even if a thousand Dhinakarans come,” said Palaniswamy, who was responding to reporters’ queries in this regard. Earlier in the day, Dhinakaran hit out at the Palaniswamy-led ruling camp, saying the top “5-6” persons should step aside as an “atonement” for the “mistakes” they had committed. [caption id=“attachment_4188077” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswamy. PTI[/caption] After being sworn-in as member of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Dhinakaran lashed out at Palaniswamy and his deputy O Panneerselvam and claimed that the government would not last beyond “three to four months.” Brushing aside his claims, Panneerselvam said he can’t be replying to “those who are in dreamland.” To a question on the possible political entry of ‘superstar’ Rajinikanth, Palaniswamy said anyone in a democracy can join politics and that it was the decision of the individual concerned. The actor is slated to make clear his stand on entering politics on 31 December. To a question on a possible electoral alliance with the BJP, Palaniswamy said there were no elections around the corner and wondered how he could answer an “imaginary” question. Meanwhile, the chief minister met Modakurichi MLA VP Sivasubramani, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in this city. Dhinakaran, who secured an emphatic win in the 21 December RK Nagar bypoll, was sworn-in as a member of the 15th Assembly by Speaker P Dhanapal at his office in Chennai.