Chennai, March 27 (NationPress) Expelled AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) on Thursday called for Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) to resign from his position as AIADMK General Secretary, citing his inability to steer the party towards any electoral victories, warning that his ongoing leadership might lead to disrespect among party cadres.

Panneerselvam claimed that Palaniswami's supporters had previously asserted that a unified leadership model would guarantee electoral success for the AIADMK. Yet, he pointed out that the party has not secured a single win under EPS’s guidance.

During a press conference on Thursday, he categorically refuted Palaniswami’s accusations regarding his purported involvement in the July 2022 attack on the party headquarters in Chennai. He clarified that he had never sought reentry into the party, stressing the significance of unity among former members of the AIADMK.

“A united front is essential for the AIADMK to regain its victory,” he stated.

He dismissed Palaniswami’s assertions about the attack, asserting that the General Council meeting held back then was not legitimate.

"My supporters and I were merely attempting to attend the meeting and take our seats at the headquarters. However, we were detained a kilometer away, and eight party secretaries assaulted our vehicle," he alleged.

Panneerselvam further accused those who expelled him and his associates of damaging the office building. "They are the ones who vandalized the office and are now attributing the blame to us. Police records clearly substantiate this," he remarked.

Palaniswami had earlier accused Panneerselvam of leading a "group of rowdies" to attack the party headquarters, claiming that this incident alone disqualified him from any role within the party.

The conflict between Panneerselvam and Palaniswami surfaced following the AIADMK’s loss in the 2021 Assembly elections, resulting in a struggle for power. Ultimately, Palaniswami solidified his hold over the party, leading to Panneerselvam's expulsion.

In the meantime, Palaniswami's recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi has ignited speculation regarding a potential realignment between the AIADMK and the BJP. Media reports indicate that discussions might have covered the possible reentry of expelled leaders such as Panneerselvam, T.T.V. Dhinakaran, and V.K. Sasikala, along with their close associates. Nevertheless, Palaniswami firmly denied these reports on Thursday, asserting that there is no chance of reinducting any expelled leaders back into the AIADMK.

As the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections draw near, political analysts are eager to observe whether the BJP’s national leadership will pressure the AIADMK chief to reconcile with ousted leaders and present a united front.