EPS dissatisfied with party poll work in city seats

CHENNAI: After heading the election campaign for the Lok Sabha polls for the party and its allies, covering the length and breadth of the state, AIADMK general secretary and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami took stock of the election works of the party functionaries and candidates in Chennai and surrounding districts.

He hinted that the political climate was in favour of the AIADMK and appealed to the party functionaries to build the momentum to return to power in the forthcoming Assembly polls.

Palaniswami held a close door meeting with district secretaries, election in-charges and candidates from Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts for nearly 90 minutes, starting from around 11 am and expressed his strong displeasure over the electioneering of several of them. Senior leaders C Ponnaiyan, D Jayakumar, Gokula Indira and several others participated in it.

EPS refrained from taking any names but registered his unhappiness over the election works carried out in these districts, particularly in Chennai Central. The constituency was allotted to its alliance - DMDK - that fielded B Parathasarathy against DMK heavyweight and sitting MP Dhayanidhi Maran and BJP’s Vinoj P Selvam. “Our leader was not happy with the way things took place in Chennai Central constituency in particular.

After the polling, DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakant flagged the issues on lack of cooperation during campaigns,” said a senior functionary preferring anonymity.

The meeting witnessed an animated Palaniswami, who recalled the party cadre and functionaries’ loyalty to late leaders MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa and pointed that the commitment was not convincing, said the sources, who were privy to the close door meeting.

Meanwhile, he said there was an overwhelming response during his campaign and public meetings across the state. He urged the party leaders and senior functionaries to make use of the anti-incumbency against the DMK government to build the moment for the party to return to power in the 2026 Assembly polls. “Our leader asked us to build the momentum that guarantee the return of Amma (Jayalalithaa) government in the forthcoming elections,” said one of the party candidate of Lok Sabha polls.

They have also discussed extensively on poor voting percentage and missing names in the voters’ list.

Thanneer Panthal

Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami urged the party functionaries to put up Thanneer Panthal in public places to quench the thirst of the people during the summer.

Our leader asked us to build the momentum that guarantee the return of Amma (Jayalalithaa) government in the forthcoming elections

—AIADMK Lok Sabha candidate