Edappadi Clarifies TN Issues Discussed with Amit Shah; No Alliance Conversations
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Synopsis
Edappadi K. Palaniswami met with Amit Shah to discuss Tamil Nadu's pressing issues, confirming no political alliance talks took place. Key topics included law and order, funding delays, and the two-language policy.
Key Takeaways
- Meeting focused on Tamil Nadu issues, not alliances.
- Law and order situation raised as a concern.
- Funding for key schemes is pending.
- Drug trafficking and TASMAC irregularities highlighted.
- Water disputes and river interlinking discussed.
Chennai, March 26 (NationPress) AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), confirmed that his recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday was exclusively centered on various state-related matters, rather than political alliances.
In a statement released on Wednesday, EPS noted that the meeting — which took place at Amit Shah’s residence on March 25 — spanned approximately 45 minutes and included discussions on numerous public-centric issues, particularly the deteriorating law and order situation in Tamil Nadu.
Responding to speculation surrounding the meeting, EPS remarked, “There was no conversation regarding an alliance. With elections still a year away, there’s no urgency for alliance discussions. Our ideologies differ, and alliances may shift based on circumstances.”
EPS emphasized the importance of maintaining the two-language policy in Tamil Nadu and urged the central government to expedite the release of overdue funds under critical schemes such as Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Additionally, he raised concerns about delays in the disbursement of funds for various developmental initiatives, including railway projects.
The AIADMK leader expressed apprehensions regarding the proposed delimitation exercise, insisting that it should not negatively impact Tamil Nadu.
He also highlighted issues related to drug trafficking, irregularities in TASMAC operations, and called for an investigation into these matters.
Water disputes and the interlinking of rivers were also key topics during the discussions.
EPS advocated for prompt action on the Godavari-Cauvery river linking project and addressed ongoing issues concerning the Mekedatu and Mullaperiyar dams.
This meeting has generated political interest, especially with the 2026 Assembly elections just over a year away.
It occurred at a time when the ruling DMK is actively addressing contentious issues such as the two-language policy and delimitation.
It is important to note that the AIADMK and BJP were previously allies during the 2021 Assembly elections, where the BJP secured four seats. However, the alliance dissolved on September 21, 2023, amid escalating tensions under the leadership of BJP state president K. Annamalai.
Currently, with the emergence of new political figures like actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the AIADMK appears to be reevaluating its political strategy.
Political analysts suggest that the meeting between EPS and Amit Shah might signal the onset of a realignment — potentially dependent on changes within the BJP leadership, especially concerning Annamalai’s position.
aal/rad
