AIADMK leader and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday strongly defended Assembly Deputy Speaker Pollachi V. Jayaraman in the sexual abuse and blackmail case, saying the latter had given strength to the complainant, a college student, to approach the police, which led to the arrest of the accused.
For the first time, Mr. Palaniswami openly backed Mr. Jayaraman, whose son was sought to be linked to the case by some sections of the Opposition.
“Mr. Stalin is politicising the Pollachi incident in his election tours for gaining mileage... But it was Mr. Jayaraman who assured protection to the complainant under the law and guided her to file the complaint,” he said.
Mr. Palaniswami was canvassing for the AIADMK candidate for the Pollachi Lok Sabha seat and sitting MP C. Mahendran.