Chennai
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has reportedly conveyed his displeasure to the PMK leadership, urging them not to “betray” the NDA alliance during the ongoing by-election, according to AIADMK functionaries.
Party sources said AIADMK is currently leading in Dharapuram, while in the previous Assembly election PMK played a key role in AIADMK’s victory in Madurantakam. They claimed AIADMK’s position in Madurantakam has weakened after PMK announced it would not support any party in the bypoll.
AIADMK functionaries further alleged that PMK’s actions on the ground indicate indirect support to TVK, and that some PMK office-bearers in Madurantakam are working against AIADMK. After learning of these developments, Palaniswami and deputy general secretary K P Munusamy reportedly held talks with PMK representatives.
Palaniswami is said to have stressed that even if PMK is not formally backing AIADMK in the bypoll, both parties remain part of the NDA, and working against the alliance candidate goes against coalition norms. He reportedly warned that the bypoll outcome would shape the future of AIADMK and the NDA, with a defeat likely to have repercussions even in the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
Following this, when asked about reports that PMK would join the TVK alliance and that its MLA Sowmiya would become a minister, Sowmiya reportedly dismissed it as a “rumour”. AIADMK sources also said Palaniswami has brought PMK’s conduct to the attention of the BJP high command.
