CHENNAI: Signalling a possible thaw in the AIADMK’s faction feud, former minister SP Velumani on Friday reaffirmed his loyalty to the party leadership (general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami) and said none in the rival camp had questioned his leadership at any point.
Dismissing reports that ‘rebel’ MLAs would join the TVK cabinet, he said they did not extend support to the ruling dispensation during the trust vote in pursuit of ministerial posts.
Reiterating that the AIADMK’s role was confined to extending support from outside, Velumani said the party had never sought a share in the ministry. He pointed out that the TVK leadership itself had clarified that AIADMK members had not asked for ministerial berths.
Talking to reporters in Chennai, he said attempts to brand rival camp MLAs as “traitors” were unjustified and caused anguish among party leaders and cadres alike.
Former minister CVe Shanmugam, who has been spearheading the rival group, was conspicuous by his absence at the press conference.
Elaborating further, Velumani said it (rival group) had clarified that its support to the TVK government stemmed solely from its consistent anti-DMK stand.
He stated that the support was extended to ensure that the government did not come under the influence of the DMK and to press for the continuation of welfare schemes introduced during previous AIADMK regimes.
However, the senior leader reiterated their demand for convening the AIADMK general council meeting at the earliest, saying it was necessary in deference to the sentiments of party workers.