The minister's remarks have given credence to Opposition party's charge that the BJP, in particular, Modi, played an active role in the reunion of the Panneerselvam-led rebel AIADMK faction with the Palaniswami camp.
In what could be yet another embarrassment for the ruling AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu, State Dairy Development Minister KT Rajendra Balaji has said that nobody could shake the AIADMK as long as Prime Minister Narendra Modi "supports the party".
"Modi is with us. We need not fear anyone. He (Modi) will take care. We are going to get the party's two leaves symbol," Balaji told a party rally at Andipatti in Southern Tamil Nadu.
Pointing out the support of office-bearers and elected representatives to the unified AIADMK headed by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy CM O Panneerselvam, Balaji expressed confidence that the Election Commission would give its order in their favour only.
"How can the EC give a different order? More than anything, Delhi is supporting us. We need not fear even if Obama or Trump opposes us. Because Modi is with us," said the minister, known for his motor-mouth.
The minister's remarks have given credence to Opposition party's charge that the BJP, in particular, Modi, played an active role in the reunion of the Panneerselvam-led rebel AIADMK faction with the Palaniswami camp.
The Election Commission had on March 23 frozen the name AIADMK and its election symbol after the factions led by Sasikala and former chief minister O Panneerselvam staked claim to it ahead of the R K Nagar bypoll, necessitated by the death of party supremo J Jayalalithaa. Chief Minister Palaniswami, however, revolted against Sasikala. On August 21, rival AIADMK factions led by Palaniswami and Panneerselvam merged, ending a nearly seven- month feud in a power-sharing formula in the ruling party and the government in which the latter was made the deputy chief minister.
Balaji had previously stirred a controversy and alleged that milk supplied by private dairies are unfit for consumption and also claimed that there were close to 40 DMK MLAs who were sleeper cells and would support the AIADMK in the event of the principal opposition party moving a no-confidence motion.
The bjp support?
Balaji expressed confidence that the EC would give its order in their favour in the symbol dispute.
This has given credence to Opposition party’s charge that the BJP played an active role in the reunion of the Panneerselvam-led AIADMK faction with the Palaniswami camp.
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