AIADMK using secretariat for party affairs, not government

CHENNAI: The secretariat, the headquarters of the administration, is not seeing government work, but only witnessing hectic party activities by the Chief Minister and other ministers.

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami is meeting senior ministers, amidst activities for the merger of the AIADMK factions for the last one week. He is also meeting the ministers at his residence and ministers are also meeting the press to speak on the merger activities.

On April 17, a meeting was held at the Chief Minister's chamber by senior ministers and on the same night, a meeting was held at electricity minister P. Thangamani's house. The very next day, the meeting of ministers was held at the cabin of school education minister K.A. Sengottaiyan. The ministers went to the Chief Minister's house the same night and finance minister D. Jayakumar spoke to the press on the activities for party merger.

On April 18, Lok Sabha deputy Speaker M. Thambidurai met the Chief Minister apparently to discuss party merger moves. On April 19, a meeting was held at the Chief Minister's office and later at his residence to take decision to keep away party deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran from the party. The announcement was made in front of the Chief Minister's house by Jayakumar.

A meeting was held on April 20 between Thambidurai and Chief Minister on the Secretariat. Besides, MLAs Thanga Thamizh Selvan and P.Vetrivel met Palanisami at the Secretariat and expressed their support. In the last one week, no official work had been conducted in the secretariat and only party activities are going on.

This has come for strong condemnation from the principal opposition DMK and its spokesperson T.K. S.Elangovan said the secretariat had been converted into AIADMK headquarters. The Chief Minister who should work for the people, is conducting merger talks of party factions.

There are lot of issues including farmers protest, opposition to Tasmac and drought, but the AIADMK is holding party meetings at the secretariat, he said.