Kumbakonam (TN), Oct 14: Congress MP Mani Sanker Iyer's car was yesterday attacked allegedly by AIADMK activists in Vanchur near Pondhicherry when he was returning from a function where he reportedly had an argument with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Iyer escaped unhurt and sped off to Pondicherry in the car which was damaged in the attack, police sources said.
His office in his Lok Sabha constituency Mayiladutharai was also attacked, the sources said.
The attack was believed to be a sequel to the argument Iyer had with the AIADMK supremo over an article written by him two years ago criticising the donation of an elephant made by her to Guruvayoor temple in Kerala.
At the function in Nagapattinam, Jayalalithaa, referring to Iyer's remarks two years ago, advised him to adopt restraint in his words and asked, "Will Iyer dare to make the same remarks in front of the mike now?."
The Chief Minister said she was not afraid of airing views against anyone and she will never retract her statements, come what may, to suit the situation.
"As far as I am concerned, I never indulge in double speak. Whatever I had said about his leader (Sonia Gandhi), I will say it even now, if she is present here. I will not say one thing now and another later. I am not in such habit', Jayalalithaa said, in an obvious reference to her criticism of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin."
Meanwhile, Congress sources said TNCC working president e V K S Elangovan contacted AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and apprised her of the attack.
Bureau Report