Chennai

“We do not know what is the problem with L Murugan, state BJP President. Despite BJP confirming the alliance with AIADMK, he is making statements about the alliance. BJP will have to remove Murugan from the post of state president,” said AIADMK Spokesperson N Pugazhendi.

The alliance was cemented during the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Chennai after incumbent Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, was announced as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the ruling AIADMK. Even as Murugan met Palaniswami and congratulated him for his announcement as the Chief Ministerial candidate, he said, in a recent press meet, that as AIADMK is part of NDA alliance, Chief Minister candidate for the alliance will be announced by BJP high command. A similar statement was made by BJP state Vice President K Annamalai who also said that the Chief Minister candidate will be announced by BJP leadership in Delhi. The comments from BJP leaders have disappointed AIADMK leaders. “AIADMK is head of the alliance in Tamil Nadu and parties accepting AIADMK leadership in Tamil Nadu can be part of the alliance. The State is going to face Assembly elections and AIADMK being the largest party has the right to announce Chief Ministerial candidate”, said Cooperation Minister Sellur K Raju.

Minister for Information and Publicity, Kadambur C Raju said that AIADMK has already announced Chief Minister candidate and it is needless for BJP to create confusion in the alliance. “People in different parties might have different opinions but AIADMK is the alliance leader in Tamil Nadu,” said Kadambur Raju.