Rebel MLAs ready for talks with EPS, says S P Velumani

Chennai: Amidst the internal rift, AIADMK legislator S P Velumani appeared to strike a reconciliatory note on Friday, saying dissident leaders were still ready for talks with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to discuss the way forward. "Even now, if you call us, we are ready to talk. Let all of us together analyse the reasons for the defeat. Let us collectively decide the future course of the party," Velumani said in a post on X, addressing Palaniswami.The statement comes amid heightened tensions within AIADMK as 25 MLAs backed TVK in the floor test against the directions of Palaniswami. Velumani said there was no doubt the leader had campaigned extensively during the election. However, Velumani accused EPS of taking alliance and poll-related decisions without consulting senior party members. "When it came to alliance decisions and election-related activities, you acted in a unilateral manner," he said. Party functionaries and cadres accepted Palaniswami's decisions and worked accordingly during the campaign. But the leadership failed to engage with members after the defeat, he added."A person in a leadership position should have come forward to speak with everyone," he said. Velumani claimed that the views expressed by him reflected the opinion of a majority of AIADMK MLAs, headquarters functionaries, district secretaries and cadres. Velumani said the intent was not to divide the party but to respect the people's mandate. He urged Palaniswami to stop pushing leaders away and instead make an effort to bring them together through dialogue and engagement.