Amid the reiteration of calls by former leaders of the AIADMK, O. Panneerselvam and V.K.Sasikala, and the dissident leader K.A. Sengottaiyan for unification of all those who left the party fold, the general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday wondered how those who damaged the party headquarters and who arranged the “abduction” of 18 legislators would readmitted.
Addressing a public meeting held in Kodambakkam here to mark the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai, the AIADMK general secretary alluded to certain actions of those who owed allegiance to the leadership of Mr Panneerselvam in 2022 and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran in 2017.
Mr Palaniswami, who scheduled to visit New Delhi on Tuesday to greet Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan, said no one could “intimidate” him and “shake” his party. “Self respect is more important than being in power,” he remarked.
He cited reports in sections of the media that during his trip to New Delhi, he would discuss internal issues of the party with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “There are some who are conducting themselves in an improper way, by having mercenaries. We have identified such persons, who will be taught a fitting lesson,” the AIADMK leader observed.
Without naming the BJP government at the Centre, Mr Palaniswami said no one in the Union government had “threatened” his party. “They had carried out beneficial deeds to us. When efforts were on to dislodge our government [during 2017-21], they had saved us. We should not forget what they did to us.”
Published – September 15, 2025 10:52 pm IST
