Welcoming the AMMK, led by TTV Dhinakaran, back into the NDA fold, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, election in-charge of Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday said the alliance partners have joined hands to remove the corrupt, incompetent and anti-Bharat DMK from power in the upcoming assembly poll.
“Dhinakaran is a good friend of mine, and I am delighted that he is back in the NDA family. I have known his talent and contribution since when he was a Rajya Sabha MP. He has returned to the alliance to strengthen it. We are united and committed to overthrowing the incompetent DMK government, steeped in corruption, from office. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani, Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) leader GK Vasan are already there in the NDA,” he said at a news briefing, flanked by Dhinakaran.
“The DMK is working against the Tamil language, culture, and the proud legacy of the Tamils. We will ensure that the Tamil language and culture go all over the world. The ruling party, led by MK Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, has turned into a movement of corruption, and this government will be dethroned. We are confident of it, and the NDA government will work for the betterment of the Tamil Nadu people. Under an NDA government, the people of the state will have a bright future,” he further said.
Meanwhile, according to sources, former Deputy CM and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam is also expected to return to the NDA. Like Dhinakaran, he too walked out of the saffron alliance after being slighted and ignored once the AIADMK re-entered the NDA.
However, in a setback for OPS, his staunch loyalist and former Minister R Vaithilingam quit the OPS faction and joined the ruling DMK after relinquishing his MLA post. A senior leader from the Cauvery Delta region, his switchover to the DMK is expected to bolster the ruling party’s strength. With OPS remaining indecisive, some of his close aides and supporters have joined the DMK.