As tension mounted in the AIADMK-BJP alliance, BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai said on Tuesday that corruption was the most important problem in the State and he did not want to compromise on his principles and dreams for the State’s future for short-term gains.
He was responding to the AIADMK adopting a resolution, condemning him for his remarks about late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s ‘conviction’ in a corruption case. The resolution followed an acrimonious criticism of Mr. Annamalai by a few AIADMK leaders.
In a statement, titled ‘This is my politics’, Mr. Annamalai said he had only spoken about whatever happened in the State’s political history and added that if anyone proved that his remarks were untrue, he would have no hesitation in accepting it. “At the same time, just because we are in an alliance, it is inappropriate to expect that we should say whatever the alliance partner likes,” he said, adding that he understood the “coalition dharma” and no one needed to explain to him about the way to treat coalition parties and leaders.
