KC Palanisamy, sacked for anti-BJP statement, reinducted into AIADMK

Palanisamy, who had been the AIADMK spokesperson had been campaigning against the EPS-OPS combine for many months, recently mellowed his views on the AIADMK leadership. With the Lok Sabha polls nearing the former spokesperson eyeing party ticket had rejoined, AIADMK sources said adding that Palanisamy will help the party with the campaign strategies.

“I am happy to be back and was groomed by party founder MGR. On March 16 last year, there was an announcement removing me from the party and now that issue has been resolved,” Palanisamy told reporters. The party is becoming strong and I have been an AIADMK member since 1972, he said.

Earlier in the day, party leaders OPS and EPS conducted a high-level meeting to discuss the seat-sharing strategies and candidate selection for the upcoming Lok Sabha and the 21 vacant assembly seats. Party leaders also received the draft copy of the election manifesto which was prepared by a team of seven AIADMK seniors. The 90-page manifesto will focus on farmers loan, women empowerment and discuss the job opportunities for the youngsters, AIADMK sources said. Meanwhile, the rebel AMMK had also reached out to smaller parties and is encouraging cadre enrolment. The AMMK had also reached out to Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi founded by former MLA T Velmurugan. The former PMK functionary Velmurugan, who floated his own party after differences with the PMK leadership is also planning to contest in the upcoming polls. “We are in touch with AMMK and the party’s executive meeting will decide about the alliance on Monday,” Velmurgan told reporters.

The AMMK which had already signed an alliance agreement with Social Democratic Party of India had also reached out to the Muslim outfit Thouheed Jamath seeking their support. The AMMK had also convened its district secretaries meeting on Monday to discuss the poll arrangements and party strategies for the Lok Sabha and the 21 vacant assembly seats.