AIADMK lost poll, didn’t die: Udhayakumar

Madurai: AIADMK deputy general secretary R B Udhayakumar on Sunday dismissed concerns over recent exits from the party, saying political departures were often temporary and many leaders eventually returned to their parent organisations after differences with the leadership.

Udhayakumar told reporters that Tamil Nadu’s political history was filled with examples of senior leaders leaving their parties due to disagreements and later returning. He cited leaders such as Navalar Nedunchezhiyan and S D Somasundaram, and said several present day DMK leaders had once been part of AIADMK.

“Those who left the party due to differences of opinion will return once they gain clarity,” he said. Udhayakumar accused TVK president Vijay of attempting to attract AIADMK functionaries and workers. “If Vijay continues efforts to lure AIADMK functionaries, he will face serious consequences,” he said.

Rejecting claims that AIADMK had weakened after the election, he said the party remained a major force in state politics. “We may have lost an election, but we have not died. AIADMK remains a force in Tamil Nadu politics,” he said.

Udhayakumar said AIADMK continued to enjoy the support of more than one crore voters and maintained that party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami remained the principal challenger to the ruling DMK.