EPS issues gag order to functionaries, urges silence on party’s stand on key issues

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday issued a gag order to party functionaries and senior leaders to refrain from giving interviews and sharing views to news channels and social media over the party's key issues.

This follows Palaniswami's assertion on Wednesday that there won’t be any coalition government following the 2026 Assembly elections, contrary to senior BJP leader Amit Shah’s claims at the press meet to announce the tie-up. The gag order is being issued as the coalition issue is failing to die down even after the clarification was issued.

"AIADMK is a disciplined movement and everyone is well aware about it," said Palaniswami in his statement, and continued that the party leadership would communicate in an appropriate manner regarding "important decisions on party affairs and its stand on issues".

So, "I request" the party functionaries from senior leaders and headquarters functionaries, who are loyal to the party, not to give interviews or views without prior permission from the party leadership, said Palaniswami in the statement.

Earlier in the day, senior AIADMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP M Thambidurai said that Palaniswami ruled out the possibility of a coalition government in the State. He recalled the political environment in the last six decades in the State and said there is no place for a coalition government here. "Tamil Nadu never had a coalition government, and it will not happen ever here. Edappadi Palaniswami-led AIADMK will form the government on its own in 2026," Thambidurai told the media persons.