CHENNAI: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) undertook a sudden trip to Delhi on Wednesday afternoon, following what political circles describe as an "urgent call" from the BJP-led central leadership. This development comes amidst ongoing but strained negotiations between the two parties over seat-sharing for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
EPS departing from Chennai on an IndiGo flight at 2:30 pm and is scheduled to arrive in the national capital by 5:20 pm. He is expected to hold meetings tonight with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior BJP leaders.
The trip follows a perceived diplomatic snub during Amit Shah's recent two-day visit to Tamil Nadu. While Shah attended programs in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai districts, EPS notably did not meet him. Although other AIADMK leaders, including SV Velumani, met Shah twice, the absence of the party's top leader reportedly left crucial alliance details, including seat allocation, undecided. Sources indicate this absence caused significant displeasure within the BJP leadership.
EPS is not travelling alone. Senior AIADMK leaders KP Munusamy and C Shivashankaram are also reportedly headed to Delhi. SV Velumani had already left for Delhi on Tuesday night, adding to the significance of the sudden political maneuvering.
However, a different narrative is emerging from within AIADMK circles. Party sources deny any "urgent summons" from Delhi, stating that EPS is travelling on his own accord. They claim the primary purpose is to submit a detailed list of corruption allegations against the ruling DMK government to Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, which he has already provided.
According to this version, EPS plans to present the same dossier to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, seeking central intervention and action against the DMK administration. Sources suggest he may also seek a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi if necessary.