Chellappa’s pep talk to cadre after leadership row

The AIADMK, since its regime of former chief ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, had been maintaining a trend of bouncing back from any poll debacle. It was unfortunate that the AIADMK had lost its chance of winning from Tiruparankundram constituency somehow, he said and appealed to cadres that such mistakes should not recur. 

“Many are conspiring to topple the AIADMK from the government, but the party was strong and they could not succeed in their attempts. All ministers, senior leaders and other representatives of the party are bound to obey the party high command and uphold the virtues of the party,” he said.  

The cadres should not be demoralised by defeat faced by the AIADMK, he said. When campaign progressed ahead of Lok Sabha elections and bypolls, there’s no opposition from people while garnering votes. Since adequate facilities such as drinking water and road infrastructure had been developed in the interest of people across the state by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, people were aware of it, he added. 

He appealed to the people to air grievances, if any to get it redressed soon, since local body representatives of the party had been in touch with the people. 

He also appealed to party workers to reach out to the people highlighting the welfare schemes and development projects like AIIMS Hospital, bridge works etc well ahead of local body polls. 

The reservation for contestants in local body polls should be a matter of concern as such practice had been existing since the regime of Jayalalithaa, he said. Further, he said special allowance of Rs 2,000 implemented by government to people of below poverty line would continue. Since the intervention of DMK, provision of such allowance was suspended, he added.