CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday took a dig at dynastic politics doing the rounds in the garb of democracy. Greeting D Jayakumar, who assumed the office of Speaker of the 14th Assembly, the CM referred to former US president Abraham Lincoln's definition of democracy: "Government of the people, by the people and for the people".
Even after the advent of democracy, in many places there were regimes dictated by individuals, she said. "Even the regime that is under the control of a family is also against democratic norms and against public good," Jayalaltihaa said, making a veiled reference to the previous DMK regime, which she had described as Kudumba Aathikkam (family rule) during her election campaign.Hailing the experience of D Jayakumar and P Dhanapal (the Deputy Speaker) as members and ministers in the past, Jayalalithaa said during the past five years, opposition members were not given opportunities to express their views. "I am pointing out the past not to level a charge against anyone but to say that ageold customs should be safeguarded and that leaders should be treated with respect irrespective of their political leanings."
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