Chennai: AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday held a review meeting to analyze the party’s recent electoral setback. The meeting took place amid an ongoing exodus of former AIADMK ministers and district secretaries to the TVK.Palaniswami met with Kancheepuram district functionaries, including candidates, executive members, and general council members, to evaluate the assembly poll defeat. The AIADMK had fielded candidates in three of the district’s four constituencies. While V Somasundaram secured second place in Kancheepuram, the party’s candidates in Alandur and Sriperumbudur finished third. All these seats were won by the TVK, which has been consistently drawing defectors from the AIADMK.The review meeting began at 11 AM and lasted for around two hours. During the meeting, Palaniswami urged district secretaries and functionaries to work aggressively toward reviving the party. He also asked them to set their difference of opinions with others and work to boost the morale of the cadres.Party deputy general secretary K P Munusamy and senior leaders C Ponnaiyan and B Valarmathi also participated.Speaking to the media after the meeting, Munusamy dismissed claims of a mass exodus to the TVK. “Those who benefited and enjoyed power during the AIADMK regime are simply running toward the ruling party in search of positions. If TVK were not at the helm, these individuals wouldn’t give them a second thought,” Munusamy said. He emphasized that loyal cadres remain firmly behind Palaniswami.When asked if TVK chief Vijay is attempting to appropriate the AIADMK’s political legacy, Munusamy countered, “No one can dismantle the AIADMK because it was founded by a selfless leader. It is a true people’s movement. While it may appear weak during electoral setbacks, it will inevitably bounce back stronger.”
