Villupuram: The 55th anniversary celebration of the AIADMK was held yesterday in Ganapathipattu village near Veedur in Villupuram district. Former minister C.V. Shanmugam paid floral tributes to the portraits of former Chief Ministers MGR and Jayalalithaa. He then distributed welfare assistance and sweets to the public.
Later, he told reporters: The AIADMK, founded by MGR and nurtured and protected by Jayalalithaa, remained in power for 31 years. To make the AIADMK strong again, everyone must be brought together and work in unity.
We must unite everyone and strengthen the movement. Only then will the people gain confidence in the AIADMK. We must create confidence among the cadres that the AIADMK will come to power. We must sow the idea that the old AIADMK has been restored. For this, everyone must stand united and work hard.
I only said, “Speak to everyone with warmth, and I will also extend my cooperation.” I did not make any demands. I said that I would give my full cooperation for the movement to grow stronger. Within 24 hours of what I said, 120 branch committee secretaries from my constituency were removed. They have now moved from removing administrators to removing workers. This is painful to me. I am not angry. That is what he said.
When reporters asked, “Will Sasikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran be brought back into the party?”, he said, “We will bring together everyone who has split away, left, been expelled, or stayed away. Let us forget and forgive. Without dwelling on the past, we must think about what needs to be done now and act accordingly.
There may be mistakes on all sides. My view is that, without looking at faults and forgetting everything, AIADMK members should remain united in thought and spirit and strengthen the movement. Not even a single blade of grass that has left the AIADMK should be left out,” said C.V. Shanmugam.
S.P. Velumani urges bringing together Sasikala, TTV, and OPS
Former AIADMK minister and Thondamuthur constituency MLA S.P. Velumani said in Coimbatore: It is indeed a great disappointment that the AIADMK lost its chances of victory in both Assembly elections. Three months ago, we won in the Dharapuram and Madurantakam constituencies. But we have lost the chance of victory in the by-election.
There is no doubt that Palaniswami is the AIADMK general secretary. In the present situation, we hope that not only Sasikala, but also those who left, including TTV Dhinakaran and O. Panneerselvam, will all be brought together and embraced by the general secretary. He said this.
