OPS insists his group is part of NDA
Chennai: Former
AIADMK
coordinator
O Panneerselvam
, who leads a splinter group, on Thursday expressed disappointment at not being invited to meet Union minister
Amit Shah
during his visit to Chennai, when the poll deal with AIADMK general secretary
Edappadi K Palaniswami
was finalized. "It saddens us that we were not invited," he told reporters following a two-day meeting with functionaries to discuss election strategies. But Panneerselvam maintained that he was still part of the
NDA
.
He said the views of district functionaries were recorded, and a well-informed decision will be made after gathering views of cadre and public at the district level within the next two weeks. He affirmed his group's continued association with the NDA. "We contested Lok Sabha elections as part of NDA. We are still part of the NDA. There is no difference of opinion in that," he said, while seeking to clarify that he did not seek an appointment with Amit Shah.
Regarding the allotment of two leaves symbol by the EC to AIADMK led by Palaniswami, Panneerselvam said it was an interim arrangement since the Erode bypoll.
Asked whether he would accept the Palaniswami-led NDA, Panneerselvam said he would not like to reply to hypothetical questions.
He added that his group was focussed on securing the rights of cadre, as laid down by party founder M G Ramachandran in the party bylaws, to ensure that even a cadre can become party general-secretary.
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