EPS Meets Amit Shah To Discuss Political Situation

Chennai: Sticking to his stand on not admitting some leaders who were expelled from his party, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, who called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, said that he only discussed the prevailing political situation in Tamil Nadu and not any alliance related matters.

Palaniswami who was reported to had been summoned to Delhi by Amit Shah, categorically ruled out or taking back expelled leaders V K Sasikala and O Panneerselvam into the party and said he was presently engaged in efforts to strengthen the NDA ahead of this year's Assembly polls, likely in March-April.

BJP sources said that Palaniswami had given his approval for admitting the founder of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, T T V Dinakaran, and the talks were on the seat sharing arrangement between the BJP and AIADMK.

The BJP is said to be keen on finalizing the alliance and holding a meeting with all the leaders when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Tamil Nadu on January 23 or 28. Ahead of that Union Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to be in Chennai on January 20 when a proper shape would be given to the alliance, the sources said.

As of now the alliance has only the PMK faction led by Anbumani Ramadoss as a partner other than the BJP and AIADMK.

It is said that Amit Shah wanted to discuss the alliance issue with Palaniswami as the two leaders could not meet when Shah was in Tamil Nadu in recent times. Only AIADMK leader S P Velumani called on Shah at Trichy.