Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national president Kader Mohideen has made startling claims about the political developments that unfolded during the 2017 Tamil Nadu political crisis, alleging that DMK president MK Stalin had personally discussed proposals involving AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and later Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan being made Chief Minister.
Speaking in an interview to Puthiya Thalaimurai, Kader Mohideen recounted the discussions that took place as various political parties explored possible government formations following the political uncertainty in Tamil Nadu.
According to Kader Mohideen, he and IUML leader Aboobacker met Stalin at Anna Arivalayam after several ministers allegedly began approaching them.
“We went to him, saying, ‘Many people who are currently ministers are approaching us…’ Aboobacker and I went to Arivalayam to ask, ‘Sir, what should we do? A major issue has arisen; they are asking for this, what is the course of action?'”
He said the meeting took place shortly after Stalin had issued a public statement asserting that the Governor should invite the party with the largest number of legislators to form the government.
“Just the day before, he had issued a statement. He had made a strong statement saying, ‘The Governor should invite the party with the most members to form the government; I do not know why he is hesitating.’ Based on that, we welcomed his stance and issued a joint statement. The very next day, as the pressure mounted, we went to see him.”
Kader Mohideen then claimed that during the meeting, Stalin spoke about a proposal under which AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami would become Chief Minister.
“I went there in the evening… That was when it was mentione, there was talk that the DMK was considering making Edappadi (of the AIADMK) the Chief Minister. Even Stalin himself was saying this. Honestly, I couldn’t quite grasp what was being said; I even asked Aboobacker, who was next to me, ‘What are they saying? They’re saying something, but I don’t quite understand it.'”
“He told me, that is exactly what they were saying; I even asked about it after stepping out. ‘What are they saying?’ ‘Well, this is what they’re saying.’ ‘So, what are they thinking now?'”
He further claimed that when they returned the following day, the proposal had changed, with discussions allegedly shifting to making VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan the Chief Minister.
“Then, on the second day, after the pressure mounted, we went back. When we returned, the talk the next day was about an attempt to make Thirumavalavan the Chief Minister. As soon as that was mentioned, I asked, ‘But he isn’t an MLA, is he?’ They replied that he could be made an MLA within six months. I hadn’t said anything the first day, but when this was proposed on the second day, I wondered – who would accept this?”
Rejecting both proposals, Kader Mohideen said the Muslim League felt they could not support what he described as an indirect BJP-backed arrangement.
“How could anyone accept that? I didn’t say anything further. The Muslim League is a party that reflects the community’s views – it represents the collective opinion of the community. The community was saying this. Deciding that this wasn’t the right path for us, we convened our high-level committee, made a decision, and announced that we would join [the alliance].”
He added that after the party formally decided its course of action and obtained approval from its Political Advisory Committee, he informed Stalin of the decision.
“We informed the Political Advisory Committee about this, and they agreed. It was only after that, when we were about to join the cabinet, that I spoke to Stalin about the decision; he simply said, ‘Thank you, brother; best wishes, brother.’ That was it. Yes, what else could be done?”
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