OPS has no place in party after sacrilege of desecrating party’s 'temple,' Palaniswami

THOOTHUKUDI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has categorically ruled out letting expelled leader O Panneerselvam back into the fold.

Responding to queries at Thoothukudi airport on Thursday, Palaniswami told reporters that Panneerselvam had already parted ways with him and seceded from the AIADMK and it should be dispensed with once and for all and asserted that the possibility of accepting the return of Panneerselvam is all over.

Further criticising Panneerselvam, EPS said he had lost his legitimacy to remain in the party after he pledged allegiance to the rival party and allowed his supporters to ransack the AIADMK headquarters, terming that it was sacrilege on the party’s temple. No party other than DMK is a foe to AIADMK, and therefore any party with an ideology similar to AIADMK could align with us, Palaniswami said in reference to alliance possibilities.

On his meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, that sparked rumours of possible re-alliance between AIADMK and BJP ahead of the 2026 polls, EPS said he called on the saffron party leader and stressed the need sharing due funds meant for Tamil Nadu and urged not to read any political motives to the meeting. Demand was also made for the release of funds meant for MGNREGS to the State, he said, adding that he reiterated the AIADMK’s stand for continuing the two-language policy of Tamil Nadu’s education system, during the meeting with the Home Minister.

Palaniswami slammed the DMK government, saying that, unlike during the AIADMK regime, when relief was provided to families of Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, no such assistance is being extended now. Earlier, EPS, along with his party men, paid respects to the departed AIADMK leader and former MLA V Karuppasamy Pandian in Tirunelveli.