Chennai: Amid signs of continuing discontent within AIADMK , party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday asserted that no one could dismantle the party, saying it would “rise like a phoenix” and return to power with the people’s support.
He added that the decision to sever ties with the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election had been taken collectively.
He said the two leaders had overcome several trials and tribulations and turned them into stepping stones to success. “The history of AIADMK is that no matter how many times it is defeated, it rises like a phoenix,” he said, drawing loud applause from supporters. This is the expectation of cadres and the people,” he said. Palaniswami also released “The Dravidian Phoenix”, a book tracing the party’s history and milestones since its formation in 1972. Describing the foundation day as a “golden day” for Tamil Nadu, the former chief minister said the AIADMK had been established to deliver welfare schemes to the people. He urged party functionaries and cadres to take a pledge and work tirelessly, “like bees and ants”, to bring the organisation back to power. Krishnamurthy also said former minister S P Velumani had been part of the decision-making process that led to the expulsion of OPS, Sasikala and others.
Palaniswami made the statement after hoisting the party flag and paying floral tributes to the statues of former chief ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa at the party headquarters on the party’s 55th foundation day. Speaking to reporters in Villupuram after paying floral tributes to portraits of MGR and Jayalalithaa, Shanmugam called for the party’s reunification and revival. “Those who were expelled and those who left the party should come together. Meanwhile, former minister and Palaniswami associate Agri S S Krishnamurthy criticised calls for the reinduction of expelled leaders. Referring to former chief minister O Panneerselvam, TTV Dhinakaran and V K Sasikala , he questioned how they could be brought back when OPS had contested the assembly election on the DMK’s rising sun symbol, Dhinakaran had formed a separate party while maintaining cordial ties with the AIADMK, and Sasikala had fielded candidates in the election.
On Saturday, Velumani, former ministers Natham R Viswanathan, C Ve Shanmugam, P Thangamani and K P Anbalagan stayed away from the celebrations at the party headquarters.