Chennai: OPS has said that we will contest on behalf of AIADMK in the Erode East by-election. AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam gave an interview to reporters at his residence on Green Lane Road in Chennai yesterday. Speaking then, he said: We will contest on behalf of the AIADMK in the by-elections for the Erode East assembly constituency. Till 2026 we can function as coordinator and co-coordinator. Contesting on behalf of AIADMK, we have every right to demand double leaf symbol.
I will sign Form A, B claiming double leaf symbol. But Edappadi Palaniswami’s signature is his preference. The issue related to the symbol is a case in the Supreme Court. A by-election is taking place without a verdict. Recently, we as AIADMK coordinator participated in the meeting held at the Election Commission of India. I have signed Form A, B and sent it during local body elections. But Edappadi Palaniswami himself did not sign. I am not the reason why AIADMK is contesting on the double leaf symbol in local body elections.
The General Assembly held on June 23 was held illegally and unanimously. We were humiliated and expelled. Our demand is to always work together till today. We will meet the leaders of various parties, including the BJP and TAMAKA, which are in alliance with the AIADMK and seek their support. Allies are also talking to us. We will support the BJP if they express their desire to contest. Since the BJP is a national party and is facing the parliamentary elections, we will support them considering that it will be a good opportunity for them. We are not contesting in Erode East.
Tamaka contested. Currently, anyone in the alliance has the right to express their desire to contest when they do not wish to contest. Based on that right, whoever asks, the leadership will meet and take a decision. If the BJP expresses its desire to contest in it, we will definitely support it. Panneerselvam will never stop the double leaf symbol from crippling. We will take action with the administrators in the meeting of district secretaries to be held on 23rd. We are not creating confusion in the AIADMK, our demand is that the divided AIADMK should unite.
So far Edappadi Palaniswami has not spoken to us from the side and we have not yet spoken to them. District Secretaries, Erode District Secretaries and Chief Executives will jointly decide the candidate of AIADMK. We will welcome those who are separated. The allied parties have been talking about the alliance’s success if they split with them. If the double leaf symbol is not available, then the situation will be to contest on the symbol given by the Election Commission. We are insisting on joining because the double leaf symbol should not be disabled.
Haven’t spoken to Sasikala yet. I will meet if I get a chance. The Election Commission of India still has the AIADMK coordinator. This time, the situation where the ruling party is victorious in the by-elections will change. I did not manage to disable the double leaf symbol. They are the ones who took the lead from the General Assembly held on June 23. We are meeting people. This is what he said. He was accompanied by former minister Vaithilingam, Manoj Pandian, Jejidi Prabhakaran, Pugahendi and Vellamandi Natarajan.
* AIADMK in the alliance has the right to contest while Tamaka does not want to contest at present.