Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK joint coordinator Edappadi Palaniswami in a letter to the party cadre hit out at expelled leader VK Sasikala after addressing himself as the party’s general secretary. Palaniswami had said that Sasikala would face legal action as she was not a member of the AIADMK and her statements had no relevance.
However, following his remarks, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam gave a controversial response that sparked a debate in the political arena. Responding to a query on Sasikala’s claim, Panneerselvam said, “AIADMK is a cadre based party, the party high command will discuss and decide on Sasikala’s inclusion again. Dual leadership now leads the party”, he said on Tuesday.
Read also | OPS sparks fresh controversy, says party high command will decide to re-induct Sasikala
In an interview with senior journalist SP Lakshmanan in May, News18 reported that the struggle between Palaniswami and Panneerselvam to keep their leadership power would force Panneerselvam to move towards Sasikala. In the end, a single leadership battle will begin between Palaniswami and Panneerselvam in support of ‘Sasikala’.
After the political return of Sasikala, the political tussle between the party high command for years has now taken a big turn. However, it is reported that Sasikala will leave for Madurai on October 28 where she will pay homage to the idols of Muthuramalinga Thevar and Maruthu brothers and then meet her supporters. After two days of meetings (29th and 30th), Sasikala will visit some southern districts including Tirunelveli. Sasikala’s planned political tour and meeting with volunteers have created a stir in the political arena amid differences among leaders over Sasikala’s inclusion in the AIADMK.
Moreover, senior AIADMK leader Jayakumar has also backed Palaniswami’s statement and reminded Panneerselvam that it was he who signed the pact to keep Sasikala and her family away from the party after the rebels.
Speaking to News18, former AIADMK MP KC Palanisamy, who was also expelled from the party, informed that Palaniswami would not agree to bring Sasikala into the party, but would, in return, hold a meeting of the General Council and Panneerselvam. removed from the post of coordinator. “We all fought for the rights of the cadres to choose our leader. That’s why I filed in January 2016. In February, filed by Panneerselvam, Madhusudanan (a veteran AIADMK leader who passed away recently) and several others was considered favorable by the Election Commission. Thereafter, Panneerselvam has also agreed to amend the bye-law or the general counsel to elect its leader.”
Speaking further on Palaniswami’s plan to remove Panneerselvam from his post at the general council meeting, he said this could be a scenario if Palaniswami is not an accused in the Kodanad dacoity and murder case. “If Palaniswami is an accused in the Kodanad case, the roads with the arrest of Kanagaraj’s brother and his relative, the driver of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, where they are going to eventually point to Palaniswami. In such a situation, Panneerselvam will try to bring Sasikala into the party. When the ball is in the hands of BJP, there can be a slight split. Yet there is a desire of the cadres to unite under one umbrella. And the leader should be chosen only by the party cadre,” the former MP said.
“Later, most of the primary members of AIADMK are unhappy with both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam. The political scenario may also be similar to what happened in Puducherry during Kiran Bedi’s tenure as lieutenant governor. Similarly, the BJP wants to wipe out AIADMK or make the vote bank of AIADMK its own and shift the major political parties of the state to DMK vs BJP. This is what BJP is doing. However, AIADMK wants everyone to be accommodated as one and fight against both DMK and BJP.”
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire.
.