Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, several MLAs belonging to AIADMK (Amma) faction and a host of ministers participated in the ‘Iftar’ party hosted by AIADMK (Amma) faction here at the Chennai Trade Centre on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Palaniswami said, “The government will continue to uphold secular values and protect the rights of the minorities.”
The party’s deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran and his supporters such as Senthil Balaji, Vetrivel and a few others didn’t participate in the function, though Anwar Raja, an MP belonging to the party, had invited Mr. Dhinakaran. Mr. Dhinakaran’s supporters had earlier demanded that the Iftar party be presided over by Mr. Dhinakaran.
‘Cadre are with us’
Meanwhile, AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) leader O. Panneerselvam, speaking at an Iftar party held in Egmore, hit out at the opposite camp. “Just because they have money, they have power, they think they will succeed. We have love, kindness, dharma and truth on our side. Lakhs and lakhs of our party cadre are on the side of dharma,” he said.
Tamil Maanila Congress president, G.K. Vasan said the AIADMK took the right decision after Jayalalithaa’s demise by appointing Mr. Panneerselvam as the Chief Minister and the leader of the party.
“But now what is happening in Tamil Nadu politics? Why is everyone unhappy? If the current situation continues, people won’t forgive them (Sasikala, EPS camps),” he said.
