As the 10-day ultimatum given by veteran AIADMK leader K A Sengottaiyan (KAS) ended today, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) rejected calls to re-admit ousted leaders into the party.Speaking at a public meeting in Chennai to mark Dravidian leader C N Annadurai’s 117th birth anniversary, EPS criticized former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) and TTV Dhinakaran, who later formed the AMMK. He said there was no chance of them returning to the AIADMK.
“The AIADMK will win the next polls with a strong majority and form the government,” EPS declared. “Those who betrayed the party should stand on the streets. None can destroy the AIADMK.”
EPS said the party values self-respect over power and position. He accused the ousted leaders of trying to dictate terms with outside help. Referring to the KAS ultimatum, he said the forces trying to interfere have been identified and would be stopped.
About OPS, EPS said, “We forgave him and brought him back after he tried to dislodge the AIADMK government. He even became Deputy Chief Minister, but he has not changed.” He added, “How can we re-induct someone who ransacked the AIADMK office?”
Without naming Dhinakaran, EPS said, “How can we accept someone who tried to destroy the party by taking 18 MLAs hostage ahead of the no-confidence vote?”
He praised the BJP for saving the AIADMK government in 2017 and said the party has faced no threats from the Centre. “One should not forget gratitude,” he quoted from the Tirukkural.
EPS confirmed he will visit Delhi tomorrow to greet C P Radhakrishnan on becoming Vice-President of India. He denied reports that he would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Due to heavy rains, his Dharmapuri visit has been postponed to another date.