No place for Panneerselvam in AIADMK, says Palaniswami

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday (January 29, 2026) rejected an offer from expelled party coordinator O. Panneerselvam to rejoin the parent organisation.

“There is no place for Mr. Panneerselvam in the party,” Mr. Palaniswami  said while addressing the media in Salem. “I have clarified on several occasions that Mr. Panneerselvam was removed from the party based on a unanimous resolution passed against him at the AIADMK general council meeting for betraying the party.”

When asked whether Mr. Panneerselvam could be accommodated in the AIADMK-led NDA as a constituent, he said, “We cannot speak about everything openly.”

Earlier in the day, Mr. Panneerselvam, coordinator of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Workers’ Rights Retrieval Kazhagam, expressed his willingness to rejoin the AIADMK. He, however, said the ball was in the court of Mr. Palaniswami. 

Attacks Vijay

Turning his attention to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder and actor Vijay, Mr. Palaniswami accused television channels of projecting him as an important factor in the coming Assembly election just to increase their TRP ratings.

In his sharpest attack on the actor-politician, he questioned, “What have they [the TVK] done?” The AIADMK is a golden jubilee party, and has ruled Tamil Nadu [cumulatively] for 31 years. We can list the schemes we have brought in. He is a big cinema star. But the best political party is the AIADMK. Mr. Vijay is not even speaking against the DMK. After the Karur stampede, Mr. Vijay could not even visit the families of the deceased. Then, what is the meaning of running a political party?” Mr. Vijay claimed that he had left acting at the peak of his career. “Only because of improper planning [by Mr. Vijay and the TVK), 41 people died in the stampede. Even during COVID-19, I had visited 30 districts. I do not underestimate anyone. But experience is needed to run a government,” he said.

Asked about some BJP leaders having spoken about forming a coalition government, Mr. Palaniswami dismissed these remarks as a means to encourage their party workers. The AIADMK, he said, would form the government on its own and the AIADMK-led alliance would win 210 seats. “Talks are going on with many parties. After the talks conclude, seat-sharing will be finalised.”

Mr. Palaniswami alleged that crimes against women occurred every day in Tamil Nadu. The DMK government had awarded contracts for road projects worth ₹2,000 crore in January, tapping into the funds from the 2026-27 financial year. The government should have secured the approval of the Assembly for using the funds from the 2026-27 financial year and then called for bids. However, the DMK government had brazenly violated rules, he said.

Likewise, the government announced relaying of village roads at a cost of ₹650 crore. Owing to its fear of defeat, the ruling party made these announcements. “After the AIADMK  comes to power, these tenders will be cancelled,” he added.

Claiming that there is a rift in the DMK-led alliance, Mr. Palaniswami said the DMK accused him of being a slave of New Delhi. But DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. “We are not the slave of Delhi, but the DMK is. Hence, Ms. Kanimozhi  went to Delhi. The leaders of the DMK and the Congress are attacking each other,” he said.