Chennai: AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has ruled out the possibility of re-induction of expelled leaders like O Panneerselvam, saying those who “betrayed” the party have no place in it.
This comes amid calls for reunification from some leaders, including veteran K A Sengottaiyan.
He also praised the BJP-led Centre, saying it “protected the AIADMK government (in 2017) when some persons tried to topple it.”
This statement comes as a direct response to a 10-day ultimatum set by former minister Sengottaiyan, who had demanded the unification of all factions, and is seen as a clear message to both the rebel camp and the BJP’s high command.
The announcement was made during a public meeting celebrating the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai. With the Tamil Nadu assembly elections looming, EPS’s categorical stance aims to project strength and end speculation about a potential mega-merger, which he views as a threat to his consolidated leadership. The declaration significantly narrows the AIADMK’s alliance options and sets the stage for a direct contest with the ruling DMK.
The current crisis was triggered when senior leader and former minister Sengottaiyan openly defied the party leadership. He not only demanded the reunification of factions led by OPS, TTV Dhinakaran, and VK Sasikala but also set a sharp 10-day deadline for EPS to execute this task. The rebellion took a more serious turn when Sengottaiyan subsequently travelled to Delhi and claimed to have met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a claim the BJP has not officially confirmed.
This move fuelled intense speculation within political circles that the BJP, keen on forming a formidable anti-DMK front, might be applying pressure on EPS through Sengottaiyan to patch up with the ousted leaders and create a united opposition. The timing of EPS’s own planned visit to Delhi, which included a scheduled meeting with Amit Shah, added further weight to the theory that the BJP high command was actively mediating in the AIADMK’s internal affairs.
In his public address, EPS left no room for ambiguity. He categorically stated that those who had left the party would not be welcomed back, a direct reference to VK Sasikala, OPS, and TTV Dhinakaran. Political experts widely interpret this strong rebuttal as a message directed at the BJP leadership, clarifying his uncompromising position on the matter and asserting his autonomy over party decisions.
Furthermore, EPS issued a stark warning to dissenters within his own ranks, widely believed to be aimed at Sengottaiyan. He accused unnamed individuals of “playing with some people as pawns” and asserted, “We have identified the pawns. It will be put to an end soon.” This statement is being viewed as a severe warning to anyone challenging his authority, signalling that further disciplinary action could follow. By taking this hard line approach, EPS has sought to project himself as a decisive leader, even at the risk of defying his national ally, in a bid to present a stable and unified front ahead of the electoral battle.
