EPS to meet Shah to discuss political scenario in TN

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami along with his close confidants flew to Delhi on Wednesday from Coimbatore to call on Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP's national president J P Nadda to draw their attention towards the present political scenario in the state.

Former ministers S P Velumani and P Thangamani accompanied the Leader of Opposition from Coimbatore. Rajya Sabha MPs of the party Thambidurai and C Ve Shanmugam, who were already camping in Delhi, joined EPS in Delhi.

EPS-led AIADMK delegation's visit to the nation capital that coincided with the three day visit of Governor R N Ravi, who left for Delhi during the early hours of Wednesday. This gained significance as the development came close on the heels of the ongoing IT raids at commercial places that purportedly have close links with the DMK's first family.

Party functionaries claimed that the meeting was a courtesy call after EPS emerged as undisputed leader of the party following the Election Commission of India's nod to the July 11, 2022 general council meeting.

However, the party insiders did not rule out their leader's discussion regarding political developments in the state with BJP leaders Shah and J P Nadda and set the alliance in motion for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "Our party overcame the difficult times after a long legal battle. Now, we have set our goal to return to power. The party has already started the ground work and taken a massive enrollment drive to attract youngsters to the party," said former district secretary. They would also likely submit a representation to Shah regarding corruption charges against the DMK government.

It would also send across a loud and clear message to the state BJP leader K Annamalai that EPS would discuss with top leaders of the alliance party in Delhi and never engage in discussion with the state level leaders. Making his stand very clear, EPS refused to answer questions on Annamalai and called him an "immature" politician who tried hard to project himself. "The rift between the state BJP leader and his controversial statement that embarrassed our party leadership in the recent past. Our leader is likely to draw the attention of BJP leaders during the meeting. It is one of the agenda and it needs to be addressed at the earliest to have better prospects in the LS polls next year," said another source in the party.