Party’s newly elected general secretary EPS and his supporters have alleged that OPS is damaging the party by siding with the leaders of ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai: In a major turn of events which put an end to the ongoing crisis regarding leadership in AIADMK, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) was elected as interim General Secretary of the party. The decision to this effect was taken during party’s general council meeting in which nearly 2500 senior party members elected EPS for the top post.
However, rival leader from the party, O Panneerselvam or known as OPS, faced expulsion for indulging in ‘anti-party’ activities with the motive to weaken it. Party’s newly elected general secretary EPS and his supporters have alleged that OPS is damaging the party by siding with the leaders of ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.
Reacting over the development, O Panneerselvam said that neither EPS nor any other office bearer has right to take such action against his as his elevation as coordinator done by “1.5 crore” party workers. He said that his opponents have no right to expel him from the party post. Meanwhile, his expulsion also resulted protest by his supporters at party headquarters. They stormed the party office opposing action against his leader.
Amid protest at party headquarters, EPS camp alleged connivance of OPS and DMK government behind it. They said that despite requesting for police protection and lodging complaints, police did not provide protection to the leaders. They said that both OPS and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin together planned to destroy AIADMK party office.
It may be noted that supporters of both the sides were seen engaging with each other and throwing stones at the party headquarters. They also vandalised vehicles standing at office premises and outside. As per the reports, state revenue department had sealed the party headquarters to avert any major incident. Clashes between the two groups of AIADMK caused injury to dozens of workers.
