A few months ago when he attempted to use sheets of thermocol to avoid evaporation of water in Vaigai dam, Cooperatives Minister Sellur K. Raju became the 'favourite man' of meme and troll makers of Tamil Nadu. Known as 'thermocol man' of Tamil Nadu, Raju created fresh controversy by praising sidelined AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala.
A day after Sasikala was out on parole to visit her ailing husband, minister Raju lauded the expelled party chief saying she had played a key role in ensuring continuance of the AIADMK government. “Chinnamma is responsible for the AIADMK continuing in power. There is no second opinion about that,” he said in Madurai, while answering a question on his opinion of Sasikala. Raju was apparently referring to Sasikala guiding the party after the demise of former CM J. Jayalalithaa until she was jailed.
Raju’s comments stirred up a hornet's nest in the EPS, OPS factions of the AIADMK, which is trying to hard to save the government.
AIADMK spokesperson and Dhinakaran baiter C.R. Saraswathi used the minister's statement to take potshots at the EPS camps. A smiling Saraswathi sarcastically called him as one of the members of the sleeper cell. “If people are wondering who the sleeper cells are, here is one,” she said referring to Raju and his comments. At a time when some of the seniors in the AIADMK want to express their loyalty to Sasikala, Raju’ comments have only confirmed fears within the EPS, OPS camps who are already worried about the 'sleeper cell' claim made by T.T.V Dhinakaran faction.
Dhinakaran had once said that apart from the 18 MLAs who are openly backing him, he has many silent supporters in the government. He had referred them as 'sleeper cells'. Raju's comments have increased doubts that if Dhinakaran's claim is actually true.
However, Raju hurriedly tried to play down the issue saying, “It was a genuine comment and I was in desperation to ensure that our Amma’s government continues to rule the state for 100 more years. I am not a sleeper cell as they call me,” he clarified.
