AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam on Monday said the high command would decide on the inclusion of V.K. Sasikala, close confidante of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, in the party.
Addressing the media, the former Chief Minister said anyone could enter politics, and it was for the people to take the final call.
However, when asked about Ms. Sasikala claiming to have good support among AIADMK cadre, Mr. Panneerselvam said the party high command would take a decision on her inclusion after a consultation. Interestingly, Mr. Panneerselvam broke off from the main unit of the AIADMK in 2017, levelling several allegations against Ms. Sasikala. This led to a split within the party.
His statement has come as a surprise, as party co-coordinator Edappadi K. Palaniswami had stated recently that Ms. Sasikala was no longer a part of the AIADMK. He had dismissed her claim that she was the general secretary of the party.
When asked about the searches conducted by the DVAC on the premises of former Ministers, Mr. Panneerselvam said the DMK government was “in a hurry”. “The DMK is acting with an ulterior motive to eliminate the Opposition. However, this will not happen,” he said.
On the issue of the spike in the prices of petrol and diesel, Mr. Panneerselvam said both the State government and the Centre were equally responsible. The inconvenience caused to the people should be reduced, he said. “The spiralling price of diesel has raised the dangerous prospect of a spike in the cost of essentials, and it has badly affected the common man,” he said.
“The party will mobilise people for protests if the DMK government tries to curtail the welfare schemes introduced by the previous regime,” he said.
On dharma yudham
Reacting to Mr. Panneerselvam’s comment, AIADMK organisation secretary and former Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar said the party coordinator had staged a “dharma yudham” against Ms. Sasikala and her family.
It is our duty to recall the purpose of the dharma yudham, Mr. Jayakumar told reporters in Chennai.
After rebelling against the party, one of the conditions put forth by Mr. Panneerselvam to join back was that the AIADMK must distance itself from Ms. Sasikala and her family, he said. Mr. Jayakumar said the AIADMK had already clarified that Ms. Sasikala had no place in it and resolutions had been passed against her. We have warned of disciplinary action against those in touch with her, he said.
Former Minister K.P. Munusamy said district units of the party had unanimously passed resolutions to keep Ms. Sasikala out of the party and the issue had been resolved.
“If Ms. Sasikala really wants to pledge her loyalty to the party or Jayalalithaa, then she should stick to the promise she made to Jayalalithaa that she or her family will not meddle in politics,” he said.
