Sengottaiyan blames EPS for split in AIADMK

Coimbatore: Finance minister K A Sengottaiyan has blamed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami for the vertical split in the party.Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore on Sunday, Sengottaiyan said the movement built by iconic leaders M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa had lost much of its strength because of EPS's approach."Looking at Edappadi Palaniswami's stand, one can only conclude that the AIADMK has weakened because of him. He believes he alone is sufficient. This may be the compulsion of the times, but we will change this reality," Sengottaiyan said.Responding to questions about the new TVK government having a lean cabinet of only 10 ministers, Sengottaiyan drew a parallel with past administrations. He recalled that when Jayalalithaa first assumed office, she initially inducted only seven ministers before gradually expanding the cabinet.He added that chief minister Vijay had the ability to handle any financial crisis. He said economic conditions required careful, step-by-step evaluation rather than quick responses.When reporters raised concerns that some beneficiaries had not received the Magalir Urimai Thogai assistance, Sengottaiyan said it had been only few days since the government assumed office and that portfolios had only just been allocated.He also said the government was taking strict measures to ensure women's safety and curb drug abuse. Sengottaiyan claimed that the closure of 717 liquor shops was a major achievement and said no other leader in India had acted so extensively immediately after assuming office.