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AIADMK can win only when factions reunite, says ex-CM O Panneerselvam

Unless all the groups divided in the AIADMK are united, the party will not be able to win at any time, he said.

Published Jun 11, 2024 | 8:53 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 11, 2024 | 8:54 PM

AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam (second from left) and E Palaniswami (third from left) at a part meeting. (Twitter/AIADMKOfficial)

File photo of AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam (second from left) and E Palaniswami (third from left) at a party meeting. (Twitter/AIADMKOfficial)

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, who lost in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections after contesting in alliance with the BJP, claimed AIADMK could be successful only when the factions reunite.

Following the AIADMK’s debacle in the Lok Sabha elections as it failed to win any seat, Panneerselvam, who launched AIADMK Workers’ Rights Retrieval Committee, raked up the issue of the party’s unity on Tuesday, 11 June, and said it (party) could be victorious only when various factions reunited.

“Unless all the groups divided in AIADMK are united, the party will not be able to win at any time,” he said, reacting to AIADMK’s defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

Also Read: After poll debacle, ex-CM Panneerselvam calls for unity, but AIADMK rejects his call

Lost to IUML candidate

Panneerselvam unsuccessfully contested as an independent candidate on the “jackfruit” symbol from Ramanathapuram constituency with BJP’s support. He lost to Nawas Kani of IUML, an ally of the ruling DMK.

Like AIADMK, the BJP-led NDA too faced a rout in the polls. The DMK combine registered a spectacular victory, winning all the 39 constituencies in the state besides the lone Puducherry seat.

“Victory or defeat in elections is but natural. Revolutionary leaders MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa nurtured the party from a cadre-based to a people-oriented party and ruled the state,” Panneerselvam said.

He claimed that the BJP-led NDA increased its vote share and “this is a victory of Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai’s hard work.”

On the AIADMK candidates losing their deposits in seven Lok Sabha constituencies, he told reporters that the AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami should respond to this.

Asked about his supporters —V Pugazhendhi, JCD Prabhakar and KC Palanisami — quitting his faction to launch their own outfit to bring about unity among the various factions in AIADMK, Panneerselvam said “I wish them well.”

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