AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s decision to align with the BJP is not acceptable to many within his own party, but he has been caught in a political trap, said R. Mutharasan, State secretary, Communist Party of India (CPI), in Tiruchi on Monday.
“Mr. Palaniswami is in the BJP’s grip and can no longer extricate himself. His tour across Tamil Nadu is not about saving the State, but a calculated attempt to protect himself from the discontent within the AIADMK and the BJP,” Mr. Mutharasan said. He was addressing the media persons on the sidelines of the CPI’s State executive and district secretaries’ meeting.
Referring to Mr. Palaniswami’s campaign slogan “Let’s save the people, let’s redeem Tamil Nadu”, Mr. Mutharasan said it was first introduced by the CPI in 2021 when the AIADMK, under Mr. Palaniswami, “had ceded Tamil Nadu’s political autonomy to the BJP”. He must clarify from whom was he now seeking to redeem the State, Mr. Mutharasan said.
Several AIADMK leaders had either directly or indirectly opposed the party’s alliance with the BJP. “Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was clear in her opposition to any tie up with the BJP. But Mr. Palaniswami has acted unilaterally, ignoring that legacy and sentiments of party workers,” he said.
Mr. Mutharasan said the CPI’s 26th State conference will be held in Salem from August 15 to 18 with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and leaders of other alliance parties expected to attend the second day’s proceedings.
