Jayalalithaa's hospital video: I am not protecting Vetrivel, says TTV Dinakaran

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India] December 21 (ANI): After the release of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's hospital video clipping, ousted AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dinakaran on Thursday said he is not protecting disqualified MLA P. Vetrivel, who released the video and added he should seek apology from former AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala.

Speaking to media here, Dinakaran said, "Vetrivel (disqualified MLA) is a representative of R. K. Nagar and was very close to Jayalalithaa. On December 19, he was with us till 9 pm, but he did not speak anything about this. On December 20, I came to know about it through media. I asked him why did he release it,;as I had advised him to get the permission before doing so. I was disappointed when it came out. Vetrivel came on December 20 to ask for forgiveness, but I told him to meet Sasikala, as she is our General Secretary and apologise to her. I am not protecting Vetrivel, but I feel regretful about this".

He added that in November, the video was taken on the request of Jayalalithaa by V.K. Sasikala.

"At the time of DMK's campaign against Jayalalithaa's treatment it was captured. Before her (Sasikala) departure to Bangalore jail, I got the video around February end and March first week. When the OPS faction did campaign, I was silent. I would have used the video in the campaign to utilise it for the political gain, but I did not and will never do anything like that," Dinakaran stated.

Earlier on Wednesday, the 20-second video clipping was released by Vetrivel, a loyalist of ousted AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dinakaran, which resulted to a political storm.

The ruling party is questioning the timing, as it was released a day ahead of assembly by poll of RK Nagar seat, which Dinakaran is contesting as an Independent candidate.

Earlier, Vetrivel denied the reports that no one met former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, while she was admitted in the Apollo Hospital and said the enquiry commission has not summoned them, yet but would submit the evidence if the probe panel would ask them to do so.

In the video, a frail Jayalalithaa can be seen on a bed. She has an I-V drip attached on her right hand.

Mystery shrouded the death of Jayalalithaa after some state ministers and party leaders suggested conspiracy behind her demise. Following their claims, a one-man panel was set up to probe the matter.

The commission is scheduled to submit its report early next year.

The by poll, necessitated after Jayalalithaa's death, was earlier scheduled for April 12, but was cancelled following allegations that sums of money were distributed in a vote-for-cash scam.

Meanwhile, 73.45 percent voter turnout has been recorded in the RK Nagar by poll.

Counting of votes will be held on December 24. (ANI)