AIADMK rep turned away from ‘one poll’ meet

According to AIADMK sources in Delhi, Law Minister C Ve Shanmugham who was deputed to attend the meeting by AIADMK party convenor O Panneerselvam, arrived on time for the meeting and carried the party’s representation with him. However, while the BJP leaders accepted the written representation, they refused to let the senior AIADMK minister participate in the meeting. Shanmugham was informed by the organisers that the invitation was meant only for party presidents and was not transferable. Shanmugham left the venue quietly.

After the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged that the Centre had invited 40 political parties out of which presidents of 21 parties participated and three other parties sent their opinion on the subjects in writing. Despite BJP accepting the written representation, their refusal to allow Shanmugham attend the meeting has not gone down well with AIADMK party members. “This is the second time we are being snubbed by BJP. In 2018, then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not meet OPS even though he went to Delhi for the meeting. This time they have done the same with AIADMK leader C Ve Shanmugham who went to attend the ‘one nation one election meeting’,” said an AIADMK leader, speaking to this newspaper. “When several parties boycotted the event, BJP should have allowed the minister to take part considering that AIADMK is an ally. They have created an unnecessary issue by denying us entry,” added the leader, now stationed in Delhi. When DT Next spoke to Shanmugham, the Minister downplayed the issue. “I went there to submit the representation and we have recorded our views,” he said, refusing to comment further on the matter.

When contacted, BJP state president Tamilisai Soundarajan said she was unaware of the developments that happened during the meeting. “I am not aware of this. I left Delhi before the meeting,” Tamilisai said.