TRICHY: Reiterating that the national democratic alliance (NDA) for the Tamil Nadu assembly election will be headed by the AIADMK, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday said alliances would be cemented before the election notification.
“Whoever is in our alliance are still with us. As far as we are concerned, they (BJP) too affirm they are in our alliance. No one said they are not in the alliance,” CM told reporters in Trichy before continuing with his poll campaign in the region. EPS began his second day of campaign in Trichy after offering prayers at Srirangam Sri Ranganathar temple. Asked if he thought the BJP proposed to endorse someone else as the CM candidate, EPS said, “We have already made it clear that the AIADMK will lead the front. Every party has its own stand. It is part of a strategy to boost cadre morale,” he said.
Party coordinator and deputy CM O Panneerselvam in consultation with senior leaders including K P Munusamy had declared him the CM candidate, EPS said. Asked about BJP state president L Murugan’s comment that BJP national president J P Nadda would announce the CM candidate, EPS said, “Yes, only he can decide for his party, not Murugan.”
On whether the AIADMK would seek Rajinikanth’s support, he said, “He is unwell. We don’t know his position, we are unable to understand his thoughts. It is not right to infringe on his rights.”
Asked if intra-party conflict persisted in the AIADMK, the CM said, “It is everywhere across the country. Does it persist only in the AIADMK? It happens in a party that is growing”.
Dismissing rumours that OPS was not keen on campaigning, EPS said, “He (OPS) is also going to start (the campaign) after the general council meeting. He is focused on his district now. He will campaign across TN like me.” He added, “I will contest from Edappadi constituency as long as I am in politics.” The CM exuded confidence that minorities will support the AIADMK despite an alliance with the BJP. “The DMK was in the BJP alliance for five elections. When they accepted them, won’t they accept us?” he said. He visited the Natharsha mosque and interacted with Muslim religious leaders.