EPS to lead May 22 rally to Raj Bhavan against DMK rule

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday informed his district secretaries about his plans to intensify party activities, beginning with taking out a procession to Raj Bhavan to complain to governor R N Ravi about the M K Stalin-led DMK government. The party is said to have submitted a letter to police, seeking permission on Monday, sources told TOI. The move comes in the wake of the successful updation of amended bylaws by the Election Commission of India on its official web portal, acknowledging Palaniswami’s leadership.
During a meeting with the districts secretaries at the AIADMK headquarters in the evening, Palaniswami accusing the DMK regime of failure on various counts, including its omission in checking manufacture and sale of spurious liquor that resulted in the recent deaths of more than 20 people in two separate incidents in Villupuram and Chengalpattu districts. “EPS said the arrests of 2,000 people in spurious liquor crackdown in the last few days proved that the manufacture of illicitly distilled arrack was thriving in the state. He said the DMK regime has been giving opportunities to the opposition to train their guns on it, which the partymen should make use of and take to the people,” said a senior leader.
Palaniswami pointed out the controversial audio clips purportedly that of minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan talking about DMK’s first family members amassing wealth. “The general secretary said the DMK government has spoiled its reputation,” said a district secretary. Palaniswami had recently brought the audio clips to the notice of Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi, and alleged corruption and deterioration of law and order.
The former chief minister told partymen that ‘betrayers (referring to O Panneerselvam)’ had been weeded out and the party should flourish from now on. The district secretaries have been given a deadline until June to complete the enrolment of two crore members and renew the existing membership so as to boast the figures in the upcoming state conference, which is scheduled to take place in Madurai on August 20. Recalling the orders of the Supreme Court and the Election Commission acknowledging his leadership as general secretary, Palaniswami had asserted that the game was over for the opponents. “EPS sought to convey repeatedly that he is one among us and the district secretaries should strive hard for the party’s growth,” a senior functionary said.