Amit Shah had never said coalition govt would be formed in TN: EPS

CUDDALORE: Former chief minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday said his decision would be the final in the AIADMK front. Speaking to reporters in Chidambaram during his state-wide tour titled 'Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom,' Palaniswami said Union home minister Amit Shah had never said a coalition govt would be formed in Tamil Nadu but had only said AIADMK alliance would form the govt.

“There will not be a coalition govt. I never said it would be a coalition govt. If people misunderstood, that’s not my fault. I’ve clearly said — AIADMK leads the alliance. I am the head of the alliance. I decide. So, if people ask who will be chief minister — it will be EPS (Edappadi K Palaniswami). If people are asking questions to stir controversy or create division in the alliance, it won’t work. AIADMK leads. EPS will form the govt. The alliance is united. It will win a grand victory and form a majority govt,” said Palaniswami.

Palaniswami said the party and its allies would consider if PMK wanted to join the alliance. “I only said PMK can join the alliance if they want. What’s happening in PMK is their internal issue. We don’t interfere in that,” he said.

He said late chief minister J Jayalalithaa had launched the Amma Scheme during her tenure and revenue officials went to each village, collected petitions from the people and resolved their grievances. “Now Stalin has pasted a new sticker and branded it as ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ (Stalin with you). Why didn’t he do it for the last four years?” Palaniswami asked.