New Delhi, September 18: Edappadi K. Palaniswami, general secretary of Tamil Nadu’s main opposition party AIADMK, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday, a week after senior BJP leaders held talks with former state minister K.A. Sengottaiyan.
Palaniswami, accompanied by party colleagues, held discussions with Shah for about 30 minutes, party officials said. He is expected to brief reporters on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, he also called on Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, marking his first meeting with him since his election to the post.
The meeting comes amid renewed calls for unity within the AIADMK. Sengottaiyan, a veteran legislator, had earlier urged Palaniswami to bring back leaders who had left the party, setting a 10-day deadline on Sept. 5. His appeal drew support from expelled leaders O. Panneerselvam and V.K. Sasikala, as well as AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran.
Instead of acting on the demand, Palaniswami removed Sengottaiyan from party posts, deepening speculation over internal rifts in the Dravidian party as it weighs its strategy ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
