AIADMK is the primary opposition party: Palaniswmai

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) responded to Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai’s claim that the saffron party and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) would emerge as the prime contenders for the 2024 state elections.

Taking a jibe at the BJP leader, EPS said on Friday, “Annamalai is saying so. What can I do about it? Go ask the people. Ask them who is competing against whom. They will know the answer. AIADMK is the main opposition party.”

He added that the AIADMK was in power for 30 years and it is a party that has been welcomed by the state’s people.

The AIADMK broke its ties with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after Annamalai alleged that the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai insulted Hinduism during an event in Madurai in 1956.

EPS on Friday said its stand on an alliance with the BJP “has been made very clear”.

“As far as who we support as PM is concerned, our main demands are that the rights of Tamil Nadu must be protected, the state should get funds and new projects and the minorities should be protected. Whoever comes to power, when AIADMK wins in the election, we will keep these aspects forward,” he added.