Chennai, March 17 Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who recently joined the DMK, attacked AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and senior leader R B Udhayakumar here on Tuesday, alleging that the duo was responsible for the opposition party's poor performance in the 2024 general elections.
Responding to a media report that Udhayakumar had warned him against criticizing Palaniswami, Panneerselvam said, "... I know how you benefited from Palaniswami. You cannot ask me not to comment on Palaniswami."
"What right do you have to say that?" he asked at a meeting here on Tuesday.
Panneerselvam recalled that despite his reluctance to contest in the parliamentary elections from Ramanathapuram in 2024, he was pressured into the race by Udhayakumar and others.
"They also nominated six more candidates with the name 'Panneer Selvam' in six constituencies. But, what happened, AIADMK lost and even forfeited the deposit in some constituencies..." he said.
"AIADMK is in this state because of Palaniswami and Udhayakumar... You both have ruined AIADMK."
Distinguishing between mass leaders like former C N Annadurai, AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran, and DMK Patriarch M Karunanidhi, who were chosen by the people, and those appointed by the organization, Panneerselvam said, "I am an appointed Chief Minister."
AIADMK Leader K P Munuswami hit back at Panneerselvam over his comments.
"For 54 years, he (M Karunanidhi) has been the bane of AIADMK. He was not only an enemy of our Amma (Jayalalithaa), but also of the AIADMK cadre. But, Panneerselvam has joined such a destructive force," he said.