AIADMK cadre can select general secretary, says OPS

CHENNAI: Amid the raging debate over single leadership for the opposition AIADMK, Former chief minister and AIADMK co-ordinator O Panneerselvam on Thursday asserted that there is no scope for single leadership in the AIADMK. The matter was already settled through a party resolution that resolved late CM J Jayalalithaa as the permanent general secretary of the party. Admitting that there are internal issues in the party, OPS said that he was open to a discussion with his deputy Edappadi K Palaniswami, who is also the Leader of the Opposition.

“Considering the welfare of the party and the cadres, I have sacrificed a lot in the past four years. But now I intend to reflect on and protect the interests of party cadres. No one can sideline or silence me in the party as this coordinator post is given to me by the AIADMK cadres. Only the cadres in AIADMK will decide their leaders and there is no role for others,” OPS asserted in a press meet.

I don’t know who started this debate on single leadership. The dual leadership comprising EPS has been going smooth, but a few vested interests are trying to divide the party. District secretaries Madhavaram Moorthy and D Jayakumar started the controversial topic without my knowledge and now this had become a political debate. Party joint co-ordinator EPS should condemn such people. Besides party seniors dating back to the days of AIADMK founder MGR were involved in the negotiation and we will soon resolve the issue.

When asked why OPS has not taken any action against those creating a divide in the party, OPS said “wait and watch.”

To another query about whether the party general council will be held as per schedule, OPS said several party functionaries have not received the invitation for the meet. There are issues that will be sorted out soon ahead of the party general council on June 23. Meanwhile, AIADMK leader EPS convened a meeting with his supporters in his native Salem district, reacting to this OPS said that there is nothing wrong with EPS meeting the AIADMK workers.