Jaya counters Captain’s move

It was AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa’s second visit in a fortnight to the party headquarters herre. She met the media on August 13 at the headuarters two days after her return from Kodanad estate.

She came to the party office on Monday and distributed assistance to 46 labourers belonging to Anna Trade Union, one of her party wings, and inducted 45 (4 and 5 adds to her lucky number 9) persons from different parties into her party.

In what seems to be an attempt to offset the celebrations of birthday of her new rival and DMDK chief Vijayakanth, she visited the party office amidst a rousing reception from the party trade union and other wings.

The cadres installed hoardings welcoming their chief to the party office from Music Academy up to Lloyds road where the party office is situated.

An orchestra was playing popular film songs of MGR in front of the party HQ.

AIADMK chief’s choice of the day to distribute assistance of Rs.25,000 each to the 46 impoverished trade unionists when the DMDK has organised annadhanam and other freebie programmes to the poor in the city, has give rise to speculations that she wants to counter the star politician.

DMDK’s outright attempts to project their leader as the political heir of MGR has really stirred Ms Jayalalithaa into action to prove that she still stands by the poor.

AIADMK supremo may also have wanted make a statement on Mr Vijayakanth’s birthday.

At least four DMDK functionaries from different parts of the state were among the 45 people who joined the AIADMK in the presence of Ms Jayalalithaa.