Team Palaniswami discusses ways to weed out OPS men at micro level

CHENNAI: The divide in the AIADMK is all set to get wider as interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s team pushes further to weed out supporters of former coordinator of the party O Panneerselvam. A high-level meeting chaired by the Leader of the Opposition Palaniswami on Monday discussed strategies to weed out the supporters of OPS at micro level.

Several district secretaries have approached EPS and top leaders with lists of OPS supporters, who are still holding onto the party posts at various levels starting from panchayats union branch secretaries. Urging the AIADMK leadership to act fast, the AIADMK seniors also discussed about the party’s internal matters, including the election of EPS as party’s general secretary.

“We have already removed persons holding various postings at district level after expelling top leaders in OPS camp. Now, we want to flush the left out, who are a thorn in the flesh of the party and causing embarrassment to the party,” said a MLA from western region. It may be noted that team EPS removed former MP V Maitreyan on Sunday.

Meanwhile, EPS and senior leaders have discussed key issues that should be flagged during the forthcoming Assembly session. “The meeting is also aimed at gauging the strength of the party and sense the pulse among second and third rung leaders, particularly among district secretaries,” said a source.

They have gathered inputs on power tariff and property taxes hike to counter the DMK, if it corners it with the report on Thoothukudi police firing on the anti-Sterlite protestors, killing 13 persons and the Arumugasamy Commission report on the demise of former CM J Jayalalithaa, said sources.

The district secretaries have also been instructed to organise public meetings in a grand manner to celebrate the party’s golden jubilee on October 17 and the following two days to boost the morale of the party cadre and functionaries.

People ready to send DMK packing in polls, says EPS

The AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday exuded confidence that the AIADMK led alliance will win all the 40 seats in the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

“People are hopeful that assembly polls will come along with the Lok Sabha elections. Everyone is thinking about when this DMK rule will go. From villages to cities, the workers and middle class people are waiting to send the DMK packing home. And, people are ready to face polls, even if it comes anytime and ensure a victory for the AIADMK candidates,” he told reporters in Salem.

It was on Sunday that Chief Minister MK Stalin asked his party cadre to secure a victory in all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Taking a further stinging dig at DMK, Palaniswami said Chief Minister MK Stalin, who declared that he will become a dictator to take action on those failing in their duty, has now expressed fears from his own party men.

“This government is run by a completely inefficient Chief Minister,” he said. Claiming that the efforts of the DMK to curtail and disintegrate the AIADMK did not materialise due to strong support from people, Palaniswami slammed the DMK for failing to fulfill its election promises.

Listing out various achievements of the AIADMK, including timely distribution of compensation to flood hit people and effective measures taken during COVID-19 spread, Palaniswami said that the DMK has only been completing projects laid out during the AIADMK rule.