Finally, Dhinakaran launches Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam

NEW DELHI: R K Nagar MLA T T V Dhinakaran on Thursday launched his political party — Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam — and unveiled its flag.nnIt was a show of strength today by sidelined AIADMK leader Dhinakaran who named his party after late leader J Jayalalithaa and unveiled its flag amid thousands of cadres who hailed him as the next Tamil Nadu “chief minister”.nnNaming his party “Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam” at an event here, Dhinakaran said the new outfit would capture power in the state.nnDhinakaran said his party would contest in pressure cooker symbol in elections to cooperatives, local bodies, assembly and Parliament until he retrieved the two leaves symbol from the “traitors.”nnDhinakaran, who has the support of several dissident party workers and leaders, arrived in style in an open-top van acknowledging greetings from several supporters who had lined-up on streets in Melur with placards sporting his image.nnSeveral party workers gave him the traditional ‘poornakumbham’, considered auspicious and a sign of respect.nnIt has mango leaves and a coconut in a decorated traditional vase or pot.nnBanners and hoardings hailing Dhinakaran as the “future chief minister” were put up at several roads and junctions.nnFormer ministers V Senthil Balaji and P Palaniappan, senior leader S Anbazhagan, disqualified MLAs and Dhinakaran loyalists, including P Vetrivel and Thanga Tamil Selvan, attended the event.nnHis supporter and senior leader Thangam Tamilselvan said 22 MLAs, including 18 disqualified MLAs were present.nnGiant hoardings of Dhinakrana along with AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran (MGR), Jayalalithaa, Dravidian icon C N Annadurai, and jailed leader V K Sasikala were also put up for the event.nnThe venue had a green backdrop (Jayalalithaa’s favourite colour).nnAs soon as he arrived, a popular yesteryear number from an MGR film ‘vangaiyya vathiyar ayya’, (welcome our leader) was played.nnDhinakaran paid floral tributes to MGR and Jayalalithaa.nnNotwithstanding the move, he had said yesterday that his camp has not given up its right over the two-leaves symbol.nnCadres at the event claimed that it “overshadowed” party functions, including the Ilangyar Pasarai-Illam Pengal Pasarai at Theni, held by “betrayers” (ruling AIADMK led by K Palaniswami).nnThe ‘pasarai,’ event had witnessed an attendance of about 50,000 cadres, according to the ruling AIADMK.nnWith Press Trust of India inputs