Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami held key consultations with 9 District Secretaries at the AIADMK office for the first time after being elected Leader of the Opposition.
Edappadi K. Palaniswami consulted with 9 district secretaries to discuss the party’s performance in Chennai and what the party could do next to pick itself up. District Secretaries Rajesh, Venkateshbabu, Balaganga, former ministers Jayakumar, Satya, Ashok Virugai Ravi, Adirajaram, KP Kanthan, Benjamin and Valarmati were present. AIADMK Coordinator O. Panneerselvam did not attend the consultation meeting despite being in Chennai.
Edappadi K Palaniswami, while addressing the press, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and Telangana Chief Minister Chandrasekar Rao after the National Water Development Agency of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry finalized a detailed project report on inter-linking the Godavari-Cauvery rivers. The central agency has sent the report to the state governments for comments.
He advised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to take precautions in order to reduce the number of COVID cases and enhance the number of testing centers and samples examined.
In response to a question on Sasikala’s latest audio leaks, he stated that Sasikala, a close aide of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, had previously issued a statement before the Assembly Election that she was keeping out of politics. He clarified that Sasikala has been talking only to the AMMK cadres, and not with the AIADMK cadres. He added that there is no room for expelled leader V K Sasikala in the AIADMK.
Asked about AIADMK Coordinator O Panneerselvam not being present in today’s meeting, Mr. Palaniswami denied any rift between them and said O Panneerselvam is busy shifting to his new house as today being an auspicious day.
When asked about the DMK and its allies’ repeated use of the term “Union” to refer to the “Central” government, he replied that the Tamil people are only accustomed to using the terms “Central government,” & “State government,” and the party will continue to use “Central” government rather than “Union.” He added that the name cannot be changed at one’s convenience.
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