Sabareesan is acting like ‘super CM’, says Annamalai

Coimbatore: BJP leader K Annamalai on Friday said chief minister M K Stalin's son-in-law V Sabareesan was functioning like a "super CM" by moving around with govt officials and using the state machinery.Pointing out that Sabareesan was not actively involved in politics earlier, Annamalai said he was now trying to mobilize support for DMK out of fear of the party's defeat in the assembly election. Speaking at the release of a report on the development initiatives undertaken by BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan in Coimbatore South constituency, Annamalai said the ‘Amudham' scheme had benefited around 2,500 new mothers with the supply of fresh milk, while free sanitary napkins were distributed to women under another initiative. He said about 1,500 women had transformed into entrepreneurs through the ‘Suyam' scheme, and 150 girls without fathers were provided education and festival assistance under the ‘Modi Magal' scheme. Clean drinking water was also provided through water ATMs, he said. The report was prepared by an NGO. On delimitation, Annamalai said the draft bill could be passed only if opposition members also voted in favour of it in parliament. He said the exercise would be carried out without altering the overall proportional balance. He also appealed the women voters to oppose the parties that take a contradictory stand in parliament. He clarified that South India would not be affected in any way by the exercise and that the process would not be based solely on population. He said the number of MPs from South India was expected to increase from 129 to 195 after delimitation. Speaking at the event, Vanathi said though she was on rest for a week because of health issues, party workers had ensured uninterrupted campaigning. Referring to the previous election, she said people had supported her to defeat veteran actor Kamal Haasan and noted that her schemes had benefited people across communities. She said Annamalai was here to strengthen the campaign.