Two days after Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy announced that former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s residence ‘Veda Nilayam’ would be converted into a memorial, DMK working president and Leader of the Opposition party MK Stalin was quick to respond that it is legally wrong to convert it into a memorial.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday at the Chennai airport, he said, “It is legally wrong to convert Veda Nilayam into a memorial.”
Jayalalithaa’s nephew Deepak on Saturday wrote a letter to CM Palanisamy stating that he was not against the government’s move, but was upset with the way government had made the announcement without even taking his consent.
Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar has also opposed government’s move. She said, "Veda Nilayam is our inheritance. They can’t buy, sell or hand it over to anyone else. It is my moral, legal and ethical right," she said. She added that she will be taking this matter to court.
Moreover, Stalin had said that since the death of Jayalalithaa, various political parties including the DMK have been asking for a CBI probe into her death. O Panneerselvam had also been asking for a probe, and then later, a CBI investigation. “Will he be satisfied that a commission will investigate the death?” he asked.
In a statement released by DMK, they condemned the state government for trying to curb the protests of employees. The statement said that the 'Horse Trading' EPS government is trying to crush the protest of government staffs and the government will be democratically toppled.
Rajya Sabha MP and DMK leader Kanimozhi said that the government is only focussing on the merger. “The government keeps talking about the merger and they are not doing anything for the people’s issues”, she said while speaking to media during an event in Teynampet.
Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy on Thursday had announced a one-man inquiry commission to probe the death of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The committee will be headed by a retired judge.
Edappadi had also announced that Veda Nilayam will be converted into a memorial. "In order to showcase Amma's achievements and sacrifices, her Poes Garden residence, ‘Veda Nilayam’, will be converted into a memorial for the public to visit," said the Chief Minister.”
The announcement comes as speculation mounts over a merger between the warring factions of the AIADMK – one led by former CM turned rebel O Panneerselvam and the other by EPS.
On Saturday, O Panneerselvam said, "Talks are going on smoothly and we will come to a decision in a day or two. The merger has to benefit Tamil Nadu and the party's cadre. There will be a good decision."