Political drama shifts to Pondy: EPS meets MLAs at resort

Puducherry/Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami visited the resort in Puducherry where the party's MLAs are staying and held discussions with them amidst uncertainty over govt formation in Tamil Nadu.

More than 30 AIADMK MLAs, who began arriving at the resort from Wednesday night, attended the meeting. They also formally elected Palaniswami as the AIADMK legislature party leader, giving him authority to take decisions on the party's next political steps.

Initially there was speculation that Palaniswami would be heading to Lok Bhavan to meet the governor in the evening. But he drove to Puducherry and met the MLAs. The consultative meeting, which commenced at 7.30pm, concluded by 8.10pm.

Party sources said the discussions centred on the evolving political situation in Tamil Nadu in the wake of the fractured poll verdict. Palaniswami briefed the MLAs on the party's next steps to prevent poaching and maintain a united front. AIADMK sources indicate that a strict order has been issued to the MLAs not to leave the resort. Party sources said rooms have been booked for the next seven days, signalling that the AIADMK was prepared for a prolonged negotiation. "Our leader had gone to Puducherry to hold discussions with the MLAs about the prevailing situation and what the options are ahead of us. We are hoping that his efforts will pay off," said an AIADMK leader, preferring anonymity.

AIADMK leaders said the move was aimed at keeping the party together at a time when there were speculations that the party MLAs could be poached since TVK does not have majority to form the govt. The meeting also comes in the wake of reports that DMK and AIADMK were in talks for a tie-up.