AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Wednesday dismissed the re-entry of VK Sasikala into politics as a mere drama, comparing it to returning to a job after a vacation. EPS emphasized that real politics is far more complex and demanding than such simplistic analogies. He reminded that Sasikala had announced her retirement from public life in 2021 and insisted that the AIADMK cadre has since been safeguarding the party’s interests.During a press conference following several party-organized events, EPS addressed the plight of farmers and agricultural laborers, highlighting their struggles over the past year. He noted that crops on over 3 lakh acres had withered due to water scarcity, and many farmers were not included in the crop insurance scheme, leading to inadequate compensation. EPS contrasted this with the AIADMK’s previous administration, which he claimed had introduced numerous welfare schemes for farmers.
EPS criticized the DMK government for allocating Rs 78.67 crore for the kuruvai special package, of which Rs 24.50 crore was designated for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the remaining Rs 54.17 crore for the kuruvai package. He argued that this amount was insufficient to meet the farmers’ needs.
Additionally, EPS accused the DMK government of failing to control the sale of spurious liquor, citing recent incidents where nine people died and over 30 were hospitalized after consuming illicit spirits.
When questioned about Sasikala’s potential political comeback, EPS mocked the notion, suggesting it resembled rejoining a job after a break. He reiterated that Sasikala’s earlier retirement announcement had left the AIADMK cadre responsible for protecting the party. He dismissed her re-entry talks as another act in her ongoing political drama.
EPS also criticized O. Panneerselvam (OPS), alleging that he had never been loyal to the party and accusing him of selfish ambitions. EPS claimed that OPS had sought a Cabinet position in the NDA government using the jackfruit symbol, but his efforts were unsuccessful. EPS warned that any party member showing disloyalty would face consequences similar to those experienced by OPS.
Furthermore, EPS asserted that the AIADMK had never entertained caste-based politics and expressed confidence in the party’s growing vote share. He noted that despite lacking a strong alliance in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK’s vote share had increased, while the DMK’s had decreased by 6.5 percent. Looking ahead to the 2026 elections, EPS predicted that the AIADMK would form a mega alliance and achieve an absolute majority to form the government.