After Shah meeting, EPS says no confusion in AIADMK front, rules out Sasikala’s induction in NDA

Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said there was a possibility of more parties joining the opposition alliance, but ruled out induction of the party to be launched by expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala into AIADMK – BJP front.

EPS who held a meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday night, told reporters in New Delhi airport on his way back to Tamil Nadu on Tuesday that there was no confusion in the AIADMK alliance. `` There is no confusion. As far as our alliance is concerned, everything is smooth. It is a vibrant alliance," he said.




EPS said the late night discussion with Shah centred around election preparedness and co-ordination between the allies, `unlike the DMK – Congress alliance where there is a confusion.' He said formal seat sharing talks in AIADMK front would begin soon.

However, sources in AIADMK said the discussions pertained to the seats that have emerged as bone of contention between BJP and AIADMK. While BJP was particular about contesting in the seats it has identified as favourable, AIADMK was reluctant since some of those seats were the party's strongholds.

On questions over his solo trip to Delhi, without senior lieutenants S P Velumani and P Thangamani, EPS chose not to give a direct response. "After the PM's public meeting in Madurai on Sunday, I returned to Chennai, from where I flew to Delhi,'' he said.

EPS dismissed speculation on V K Sasikala joining the NDA. "The topic did not come up during the discussion with Shah. Dont raise the topic," he said. He added that the AIADMK was in touch with a few other parties and some of them might join the alliance.

He reiterated that the AIADMK-led alliance would win more seats and the AIADMK would form govt of its own.

Meanwhile, a statement from the party said EPS would campaign in Anthiyur, Perunthurai and Bhavani constituencies in Erode district on March 7 and 8 as part of his election campaign, ‘Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom'.