With high praise for Edappadi K Palaniswami, O Panneeselvam bats for unity again

Chennai: Putting to rest speculation about differences in the ruling AIADMK, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneeselvam on Sunday asserted that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is delivering good governance on the path shown by “Amma” (late CM J. Jayalalithaa).

Apparently indicating that there is no disharmony between the factions led by him and Mr Palaniswami, Mr Panneerselvam said, “Annan Thiru Edappadi K. Palaniswami is providing good governance on the path laid down by Amma. He has initiated several developmental schemes.”

The Deputy CM, who took to a series of tweets on Sunday, said AIADMK was able to regain the “victory symbol of MGR” only because the cadres remained united. “Dreams of those who wanted to take over AIADMK have been shattered by the EC’s order. We got back Two Leaves symbol only because we stood united”, he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Kanchipuram near here, Mr Panneerselvam said the December 21 by-poll to R.K. Nagar Assembly constituency would prove that the EC’s decision to allot the ‘Two Leaves’ to their group, was right. “Not only in R K Nagar by-election, the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol will register historic victories in all forthcoming elections be it local body or other elections”, he added.

‘The Two Leaves’ symbol allotted to the ruling AIADMK will shatter the opposition parties’ dream of defeating the party in forthcoming elections, he said. The Deputy Chief Minister said out of the 45 years during which the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol remained in the electoral fray, the voters authorised the party to rule the state for 27 years. Pointing out that the people of Tamil Nadu welcomed the allocation of ‘Two Leaves’ symbol to the party, he said they are waiting for the R.K. Nagar by-polls to prove that Election Commission’s decision was correct.