Two ex-rebel MLAs skip Edappadi's defeat review meet

CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's region-wise consultation meeting over the party's poor election performance has led to a fresh setback on Tuesday, as two sitting MLAs SM Sukumar (Arcot) and KC Veeramani (Jolarpettai) stayed away from a consultative meeting convened with functionaries from Tirupattur and Ranipet districts.

Sukumar had earlier served as the Ranipet West district secretary. However, he was removed from the post after publicly expressing dissent against Palaniswami's leadership. Sumaitangi Elumalai was subsequently appointed as the new Ranipet West district secretary.

In Ranipet East, former MLA Ravi was removed as district secretary after joining the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Loganathan has since taken charge as district secretary. Both the newly appointed district secretaries attended Monday's meeting.

Similarly, former Minister KC Veeramani was relieved of his responsibilities as Tirupattur district secretary, with Pasupathi replacing him.

Following the organisational reshuffle, the party leadership offered Sukumar the post of deputy secretary for propaganda and Veeramani the position of organisation secretary. However, both leaders declined to accept the alternative assignments.

Meanwhile, speaking to functionaries, EPS said that those who left the AIADMK and joined other parties will not be respected in the respective parties.

Addressing the meeting, EPS said the current TVK government was facing problems every day, and law and order in the state was deteriorating. He also said the government has failed in ensuring women's safety. He urged the cadres to stay united, and called for coordinated efforts to win the upcoming local body elections.

"In the local body elections, priority will be given to youth and women," he said, asking the functionaries to recommend the candidates who are loyal to the party.

EPS reiterated that the party must take its pro-people works, especially schemes for women, to the voters ahead of the local body polls.