Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday called on CPI State secretary D. Pandian at his residence on Anna Nagar on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
“I am really moved by her gesture,” Mr. Pandian told reporters.
The Chief Minister was welcomed by Mr. Pandian and his family members. He also showed her a photograph taken during his visit to the AIADMK headquarters in the 1980s. Declining to attach any political importance to the visit, Mr. Pandian said the relationship between him and the Chief Minister was not one that was based on any expectation of return. “We have a deep friendship.”
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The AIADMK has snapped ties with all its allies, including the two Left parties, with which it faced the April 2011 Assembly election. However, Mr. Pandian has continued to maintain cordial personal ties.
Asked whether Ms. Jayalalithaa’s gesture would be a precursor to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he said the issue would be discussed at the time of elections.
“Let the confusion prevailing in Delhi end,” Mr Pandian said adding that he was really grateful to her as she had made it a point to call on him despite her busy schedule.
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Mr. Pandian’s birthday was celebrated in a grand manner on Tuesday and AIADMK leader E. Madhusudhanan and Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam greeted him.