CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Thursday ruled out the return of former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS), saying he had been removed from the party’s primary membership through a General Council resolution.
Speaking to reporters in Salem, EPS also said alliance talks with other parties were under way and that seat-sharing would be finalised after discussions.
Earlier in the day, OPS called for the reunification of the AIADMK ahead of the Assembly elections after holding consultations with supporters in Kailasapatti in Theni district.
Addressing reporters, OPS said party functionaries had emphasised the need for unity, noting that Theni had historically been an AIADMK stronghold that produced leaders such as MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.
He said if former political rivals could come together, the divided AIADMK could also reunite, which would help the NDA secure a major victory. “I am ready to rejoin the AIADMK. The movement was launched to unite the party, not to contest elections,” he said, as quoted by a Daily Thanthi report.