Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Tuesday criticised the ruling set-up and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TAVEK) leadership, asking whether the government’s actions match its promise of “clean governance”.
Speaking to reporters at the Assembly complex, EPS said that if the Chief Minister claims to run a clean administration, it should be reflected “everywhere”. He objected to what he described as leaders visiting the home of a person linked to internal differences within a party, calling it an unfair and unprecedented practice in Tamil Nadu politics.
EPS said every party faces tests and splits, but argued that such moves set a “wrong precedent”. He added that it was “regrettable” that TAVEK’s leader was, in his view, heading in the wrong direction from the start.
He further alleged that despite voters being given “full information” to vote against TAVEK, support was extended, and that talk of horse-trading was doing the rounds. EPS claimed TAVEK had won 108 seats, which he said had come down due to a resignation and a court restraint on one member’s participation, and asserted that the government was formed with support from parties in the DMK alliance.
EPS also claimed that inducements such as ministerial posts and board chairmanships were being discussed, and alleged that some AIADMK MLAs had backed the TAVEK government for such reasons. He reiterated that the AIADMK alliance had secured 1.34 crore votes and described the party as a strong organisation.
