My hubby was no don: Radhika Selvi

New Delhi: DMK MP and Union Minister-designate Radhika Selvi has termed all speculation about her husband being a don as "false propaganda" and claimed that had it been so, DMK leader M Karunanidhi would have never admitted her into the party.

Radhika has been picked for a ministerial berth in the Union Cabinet as a minister of state, replacing Dayanidhi Maran. She will be administered the oath by President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on May 18.

After she was picked for a ministerial berth in the Union Cabinet, there were reports in the media that Radhika's slain husband Venkatesa Panniyar had a criminal record.

"First of all, if my husband had any criminal record, my leader Kalaingar (Chief Minister M Karunanidhi) would not have admitted me into the DMK or given me a ticket to contest the polls. People have voted for me and sent me to the Lok Sabha. If my husband was a criminal, it would not have happened," she said in Chennai.

Radhika claims there has been a consistent "false propaganda" against her. "Would Kalaingar have nominated me to the Union Ministry if my husband was a criminal?" she asked.

Terming as "unexpected" her selection for the ministership, Radhika Selvi said: "I am thrilled by the confidence reposed on me by my leader." She said she would follow the instructions of the party leadership in discharging her duties as a minister.

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