DMK can never split or topple AIADMK, says Edappadi K Palaniswami

Salem: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami asserted that the opposition DMK can never succeed in its attempt to split his AIADMK or topple the state government.

Accusing the DMK of having the ‘expertise’ in engineering a split by creating confusion in other parties, the Chief Minister, said, “the AIADMK can neither be destroyed nor can his government toppled, no matter how many DMKs emerge. That will never happen.”

Declining to comment on the succession war in DMK involving late DMK chief M. Karunanidhi's sons, M. K. Alagiri and M. K. Stalin, Mr. Palaniswami told reporters here that the opposition party would do whatever they want when an opportunity comes up.

On his party’s preparedness for next year’s Parliamentary election, Mr. Palaniswami said the poll dates were yet to be announced. To a query on the damage to shutters in Coleroon river in Tiruchy, he replied that the repair work was being carried out with senior state government officials camping there, and that it was expected to be completed in two to three days.

“A portion of the dam got destroyed and chief engineer and PWD secretary are camping at the site to oversee the work. The restoration work would be completed in about two or three days time. About 100 meters away a new regulator dam would be built in about 15 to 18 months’ time,” he said.

Also, attempting to blunt the opposition barrage of criticism, the Chief Minister said the surplus water from the Mettur dam is being utilised to fill up the lakes and other water bodies.