AIADMK ridicules DMK advisory on banners

CHENNAI: Taking a swipe at arch rival DMK's recent advisory to partymen to cut down on banners, ruling AIADMK today said that such a directive was given since its President M Karunanidhi was feeling "irritated" for not being given "due importance".

An article in AIADMK mouthpiece 'Dr Namadhu MGR' claimed that a "particular section" of DMK was erecting banners or cut-outs for members of DMK's first family, including Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and his grandson Udhayanidhi Stalin, against which its patriarch was feeling "irritated" as he was being allegedly sidelined.

"That is because he is not given due importance in such banners where his pictures are carried in very small size, and that too for the sake of it," the article said.

The article also hinted at apparent fissures in the party ranks involving the DMK's first family.

"It seems he is therefore trying to conceal his annoyance of family politics by comparing the issue with AIADMK," it said.

On Sunday, the DMK had issued an advisory to partymen on cutting down on banners, saying "people tend to compare us with AIADMK," as the party quoted media reports about movement of traffic being affected here last month during the AIADMK's General Council where many banners and flex-boards of General Secretary and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa were kept.

Recalling that the party had earlier directed cadres to keep banners and flex boards of only senior leaders like party President, General Secretary and Treasurer, the DMK release had said, "It has been seen in recent days that such a practice is disappearing as we are also indulging in publicity."

AIADMK, whose founder MG Ramachandran's 99th birth anniversary was celebrated by the party grandly on Sunday, said while the founder is still enjoying enormous fame even after death, the "situation of Karunanidhi is opposite."