Crucial decisions likely in today’s AIADMK EC meeting

“Several important decisions related to next year’s Assembly elections are likely to be taken in the EC meeting. Party cadres should not speak anything against the decisions,” said state Cooperative Minister Sellur K Raju, while addressing the media, in Madurai. Recently, there were several controversies in AIADMK on the issue of leadership as posters of AIADMK Convenor O Panneerselvam surfaced in several areas of Theni district where Panneerselvam was mentioned as the next Chief Minister.

Following the posters, supporters of AIADMK Co-convenor Edappadi K Palaniswami had put up posters saying that Palaniswami will continue as Chief Minister in 2021.

The posters were removed by supporters of Panneerselvam following which there were rumours in the party that a dispute on leadership is brewing in the party.

The issue of release of VK Sasikala, the confidante of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, from Parappana Aghrahara prison in January had also created ripples in AIADMK and under the circumstance the EC meeting holds importance.

However, AIADMK top leaders have refuted that there is any dispute within the party. “EC meeting is conducted as per the rules of Election Commission of India (ECI) and there is no dispute in the party. The so-called disputes were put to an end by the joint statement of both the convenors,” said Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, while addressing the media, in Chennai.

He also said that they will stay united and win the 2021 Assembly election. On leadership, Jayakumar said that even if any decision is taken it will be a policy decision.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Pollachi Jayaraman tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted in a private hospital in Chennai. All AIADMK leaders took tests before participating in the EC meeting and the results were released on Sunday in which it was confirmed that Jayaraman tested positive.