Chennai:
In a move aimed at preventing factionalism, AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today warned partymen against printing pictures of anyone on posters and other publicity material other than those of the late E V R Periar, C N Annadurai, party founder M G Ramachandran and the leader herself.
Referring to recent "undesirable incidents," a party headquarters statement said Ramachandran, fondly known as MGR, had made it clear only pictures of himself, rationalist leader Periar and former Chief Minister Annadurai be used in posters, banners and other publicity material. Since Jayalalithaa took over as General Secretary, her photos are also used.
"When a (AIADMK) Minister attends a programme, only his picture is carried in posters by some office-bearers, leaving out the rest. As a result, some others leave out the picture of the Minister and print those of others, leading to clashes between party workers," the release said.
Reports had suggested rival camps even damaged publicity material of each other, the release said adding this had set a "bad precedent," while damaging party's reputation.
"There has been no practice of using pictures of Ministers, MLAs and MPs attending government and party functions in posters and banners and there is no approval from the party too," it said.
Henceforth, party workers should use only pictures of Periar, Anna, MGR and Jayalalithaa "it is enough to print the names of (other) participants," the release said while warning of disciplinary action against those who went against this.