Chennai: Minister Nirmal Kumar on Tuesday said that resigning and then joining a political party should not be labelled as “horse-trading”, calling it an individual’s personal decision.
Speaking to reporters, he alleged that in the southern districts the AIADMK lacks a grassroots structure, claiming the party exists only at the district level and not down to branch units.
He also took aim at former AIADMK ministers, saying they were holding small meetings without clarity on what to say, and questioned their confidence in the party’s leadership. He remarked that they neither remember nor believe that the party has a general secretary in Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).
On the issue of horse-trading, the minister said the term applies only when money is used to “buy” someone. He added that it is known who is caught in such dealings, and referred to the arrest of people said to be close to Senthil Balaji in connection with horse-trading allegations.
Nirmal Kumar insisted that his side had not invited anyone to be “bought”, reiterating that a resignation followed by joining another party cannot be termed horse-trading.
