AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has told party functionaries that speaking to those who are set on leaving the party is “of no use,” and said those who quit AIADMK to join other parties would not receive respect.
Palaniswami held consultations with functionaries from the unified Kancheepuram district last week. He followed it up with a meeting on Sunday at the party headquarters in Royapettah, Chennai, with office-bearers from Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts.
According to party functionaries, participants were instructed not to make remarks suggesting that leadership decisions were responsible for the election defeat, and discussions were limited to other issues. They said social media campaigning by TVK did not gain traction in Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam, while the DMK-led alliance won in five constituencies other than Vedaranyam, attributing it to the strength of the alliance.
Functionaries also pointed to a lack of coordination on the ground, saying AMMK and PMK workers did not work in tandem with AIADMK. They added that the presence of the BJP in the alliance affected minority vote consolidation, and some union secretaries suggested the leadership should call and speak to those considering quitting.
In his concluding remarks, Palaniswami said he would take special steps to strengthen the party in the delta and coastal districts, but maintained that engaging those intent on leaving would not help. He added that those who leave a party that nurtured them and gave them recognition would not be respected elsewhere.
