Former AIADMK minister Dindigul Srinivasan has elucidated the rationale behind the party's departure from the NDA, citing the unexpected emergence of BJP State President Annamalai as a potential candidate for the role of Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister.
Srinivasan voiced his reservations regarding Annamalai's candidacy for the position of Chief Minister, questioning the validity of such a projection. He emphasized that while both O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran expressed support for Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, the sudden assertion of Annamalai as the next Chief Minister elicited skepticism among party members.
During a public address commemorating the birth anniversary of AIADMK's founder MG Ramachandran, Srinivasan highlighted the dissatisfaction within the party ranks over Annamalai's purported candidacy. He further criticized Panneerselvam for organizing a rally aimed at reclaiming AIADMK, contending that such actions undermined the party's internal decisions.
Srinivasan also recounted a meeting between Edappadi K Palaniswami and senior BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and JP Nadda, which ultimately led to the AIADMK's withdrawal from the NDA alliance.
Notably, the AIADMK had previously cited alleged disparaging remarks made by Annamalai against the legacies of prominent party figures Anna and Jayalalithaa as a primary reason for severing ties with the NDA. Additionally, Srinivasan reiterated the party's support for Palaniswami's leadership, emphasizing the unanimous decision made by the party's General Council, which was duly recognized by the courts.
