Former Chief Minister and ousted coordinator of the AIADMK, O. Panneerselvam, revealed on 28 December 2023 that talks regarding an alliance with the BJP are currently underway for the upcoming Parliamentary elections.
Addressing a gathering at a workers’ rights consultation meeting in Salem, Panneerselvam affirmed that the party faction led by him has been collaborating with T.T.V. Dhinakaran, the general secretary of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. When questioned about the possibility of working with V.K. Sasikala, the close aide of the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Panneerselvam stated, “It is her wish to work along with us, and we are also expecting and waiting for her.”
Touching upon the issue of AIADMK property, particularly the assets earmarked for followers of the iconic M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), Panneerselvam clarified that there has been no official announcement regarding the sale of AIADMK properties.
Responding to legal matters, Panneerselvam addressed the case filed during the tenure of the late M. Karunanidhi and expressed his intent to present his arguments in court. He also took a swipe at Edappadi K. Palaniswami, asserting that the former Chief Minister contested in nine electoral fields without garnering public support, resulting in the party’s decline.
Panneerselvam declared his intention to seek the opinion of the people in his constituency on alliance formation through a ballot paper. Referring to a previous instance in the Nagapattinam assembly constituency, he disclosed that 81 votes favored him, while 59 votes went to Edapadi Palaniswami.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Parliamentary elections, Panneerselvam reiterated the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP since the 2019 elections. He expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “Following the previous Parliamentary elections in 2019, we’ve maintained a partnership with the BJP. Over the past decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently delivered commendable governance, earning praise from numerous nations and world leaders. As we approach the upcoming Parliamentary elections, our support is for Prime Minister Modi and talks are going on with the BJP.”
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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