Expelled AIADMK leader Pazha Karuppaiah, who joined the DMK some time back, has termed former chief-minister and deceased AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa as the ‘chief culprit’ in the accumulation of assets by her and her former aide Sasikala.

In 2011, Karuppaiah, a party MLA from Chennai Port Trust, had badly criticized the party leadership as well as the resolutions passed at the party’s general council meeting after which he was sacked by Jayalalithaa from the party’s primary membership.  He soon quit his MLA’s post as well. 

Speaking on Sun TV’s news channel about the recent raids by income-tax authorities at Sasikala’s premises and Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence, Karuppaiah oozed venom and wondered why so much fuss is being made about the raids conducted at the former chief-minister’s residence.

“Those who say Jayalalithaa as someone to be worshipped are only buffoons,” he said, referring to the fact that Jayalalithaa had been to prison.

“Sasikala’s family is in possession of properties worth Rs.2.5 lakh crores.  Ministers of the State Cabinet including chief-minister Edapadi K. Palaniswamy and deputy chief-minister O. Pannerselvam ought to be brought within the ambit of investigations. Both EPS and OPS are fit to remain not even the heads of a village panchayats.  Sasikala usurped wealth only with Jayalalithaa’s help and guidance,” he said.