TTV Dhinakaran, Sasikala’s nephew and the MLA from RK Nagar constituency, today launched his political party Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) in Melur, Madurai.

The 18 MLAs who were disqualified by the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker in September last year after they expresed lack of confidence in the Eddappadi Palaniswami government extended their support to TTV Dhinakaran at the launch. Three sitting MLAs who have backed Dhinakaran were also present at the party’s launch.

Dhinakaran hoisted the party flag at the launch event. Dhinakaran’s party launch comes days after the Delhi High Court directed the Election Commission to allot the pressure cooker symbol to the AIADMK faction led by him.

TTV DHINAKARAN’S PARTY LAUNCH: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

1.In a massive show of strength, cadres have been mobilised from southern parts of Tamil Nadu for the launch of TTV Dhinakaran’s political party.

2.It was said that TTV Dhinakaran’s party would zero in on any of these three names: All India Amma Anna Dhravidar Munnetra Kazhagam, MGR Amma Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam, and MGR Amma Dhravidar Kazhagam.

3.Dhinakaran’s party launch comes on a day when the Tamil Nadu Budget will be tabled in the Secretariat by Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

4.Talking to reporters yesterday, Dhinakaran said that the naming of the faction and use of a party symbol are in line with the instructions of the court. “This is not a separate party, we are fighting for the custody of AIADMK and the two-leaves symbol, he said.

5.Dhinakaran said that the ruling government in Tamil Nadu has been formed by “backstabbing”. “It won’t last long and that is why people have been supporting us,” Dhinakaran said.

6.Dhinakaran, who stunned the ruling AIADMK by winning the RK Nagar bypolls last year, said that the election has shown “who has lost relevance in the state”.

7.”The symbol is in the wrong hands and that is why a scenario (emerged) where the two-leaves symbol had to be defeated,” Dhinakaran said. He said, “When it (two-leaves symbol) was in MGR or Amma’s hand has that happened? Just because the symbol is with them doesn’t mean people are with them.

8.Dhinakaran said that the faction led by him was initially operating as AIADMK (Amma) and then the two-leaves symbol was alloted to the Palanaswami-Panneerselvam faction on November 21. “But for the last six months, with more than 20 MLAs and 6 MPs, we have been present without a name, or a symbol,” Dhinakaran said.

9.Dhinakaran said that till a final decision on the two-leaves symbol comes, his faction has been allowed by the court to have a name and a symbol. “Because I won on the pressure cooker symbol that is being assigned, and one of the three names presented to the EC has been allotted. It is not a new party, it is just giving a name to our faction,” he said.

10.Dhinakaran had told the court that he needed a temporary name and a symbol for his faction to fight any election in the state until a final decision is reached on the two-leaves symbol matter.