EPS arrives at AIADMK HQ in Chennai as power tussle continues

A large crowd gathered outside the headquarters to welcome Palaniswami

Visiting the AIADMK headquarters for the first time after being appointed as its interim general secretary, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday ruled out taking expelled leader O Panneerselvam back into the party by accusing him of “changing colours” like a chameleon.

Palaniswami, who received a rousing reception from the AIADMK cadre as he visited the headquarters a week after the Madras High Court upheld his appointment as interim GS, also alleged that Panneerselvam in fact “instigated goons” to attack the party HQ which is “like a temple” for lakhs of partymen.

The AIADMK headquarters was sealed by the Tamil Nadu government authorities on July 11 following violence allegedly orchestrated by supporters of OPS, who objected to conducting the General Council meeting that appointed EPS as the interim GS. However, the Madras High Court directed the state government to hand over the keys of the building to EPS but asked leaders and cadres not to visit the premises for a month.

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EPS could not visit the premises last month after a single judge of the High Court ordered status quo in AIADMK on June 23. However, a division bench struck down the order last week and upheld the decisions taken in the July 11 GC meeting.

“There is no need to take Panneerselvam back. How will the cadre forgive a person whose supporters attacked the AIADMK HQ and vandalized the building? Will a cadre forgive OPS who sided with the DMK and wished ill for the AIADMK? The cadre feels a leader like OPS was not needed for them,” Palaniswami told reporters at the party headquarters.

He was asked whether Panneerselvam will be “forgiven” and taken back into the AIADMK. Palaniswami also accused Panneerselvam of “changing colours like a chameleon” often and said he never stayed loyal to anyone who reposed faith in him, including J Jayalalithaa.

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EPS’ comments are significant as AIADMK is now split into several factions led by OPS, V K Sasikala, and T T V Dhinakaran. The former CM also asserted that OPS has no support base in the AIADMK, and his expulsion won’t affect the party.

To a question, Palaniswami said the polls to elect the new general secretary of the party will be held soon. “The elections could not be held as he (OPS) went to court against the GC. We will try and hold the elections as early as possible,” EPS said.

The OPS camp has now moved the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court order in favour of the faction led by EPS.