Announcing that Senthil Murugan will be contesting from Erode East constituency, OPS said he would withdraw the candidate if the BJP contested and would seek support from Sasikala for their candidate.
Chennai: AIADMK's O Panneerselvam has announced that Senthil Murugan will contest the Erode East by-election.
AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam was speaking to reporters at his residence on Greenways Road in Chennai. Senthil Murugan is contesting from Erode East assembly constituency. He said he was an ardent loyalist of the AIADMK.
When asked by reporters that there is a risk that the party's symbol of 'two leaves' will be paralysed if both the parties- OPS and EPS announce candidates on behalf of the AIADMK, he saidthat he is not the reason for this.
He continued to speak, the tenure of Edappadi K Palaniswami, his coordinator and co-coordinator in the AIADMK, is till 2026.
So far, we have signed the various levels of elections in the party and sent it to the Election Commission. "I have told the party high command that I am ready to sign 'A' and 'B' forms for the candidates from the AIADMK side to contest the elections. You know that yourself. If I don't get the two-leaves symbol, I have decided to contest with a separate symbol.
The BJP was asked for support before contesting the elections because it is an alliance party and a national party. "We are ready to withdraw our candidates if the BJP announces its candidate.
The candidate on their side is a strong candidate. I will not be the reason for the paralysis of the party symbol at any stage.
"I am not responsible for the fact that the party leaders are not working unitedly in the local body and the ongoing assembly by-elections.
I welcome the budget presented by the Central Government today. "I will meet Sasikala seeking support for my party's candidate. Asked if he would invite Sasikala for campaigning, he replied, "Wait and see."
To a question by reporters regarding the setting up of a pen memorial for Former CM and DMK icon on the Marina beach, he said there is no need to look bad about this at this point.
People's opinion is my opinion. A party that is now the ruling party erects a memorial for its leader. It's not wrong. I also liked the late DMK leader Kalaignar.