EPS-OPS government is safe and neither Dhinakaran nor Stalin can destabilize it. This was the manner in which state fisheries minister D Jayakumar dismissed speculations to the effect on the longevity of the government especially after rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran trounced both AIADMK and DMK in the RK Nagar bye election.

Ahead of the assembly session, convened from January 8, AIADMK held its legislative party meet chaired by chief minister Edapaddi Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam where 104 of its 116 MLAs participated. The rest were absent with permission from the government said Jayakumar, adding that “there is absolutely no chance of any threat to the government.”

Dhinakaran cannot do anything as he is an one-man army, Jayakumar said but added that the government was taking a cautious stance on him when he enters the assembly as an independent candidate.

All the MLAs have been given a list of dos and don’ts and asked not to get provoked by Dhinakaran into playing into his hands and spoiling the image of the government.

After the meeting of MLAs, addressed by the chief minister and deputy chief minister, Jayakumar declared neither Stalin nor Dhinakaran can pose a threat to the government.

“We will safeguard assembly’s prestige,” Jayakumar said.

“Dhinakaran cannot do anything, his presence in the assembly will have no impact. He is a one-man army,” the minister said.

During the meeting the chief minister also wondered if it was a good idea for the party to have an own media channel – tv and daily newspaper.

State governor Banwarilal Purohit will deliver the customary address to inaugurate the session.