EPS reiterates no alliance talks with TVK; slams media speculation ahead of Tamil Nadu polls

Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday reiterated that neither his party nor its alliance partners have held talks with actor-politician Vijay’s fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) regarding the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for April 23.

Addressing reporters at an Iftar event organised by the party in Chennai, Palaniswami was accompanied by Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran and AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran. When asked whether he would like TVK to join the AIADMK-led NDA, he responded that there had been no discussions with the party so far.

He noted that this was the third time he had clarified the matter, having already ruled out any alliance with TVK on March 11 and 14. According to him, suggestions of a potential partnership were purely media speculation.

During a question-and-answer session hosted by a media organisation on March 14, the Leader of the Opposition also dismissed reports of any rift with BJP leader K Annamalai, blaming sections of the media for creating such impressions. He pointed out that the former Tamil Nadu BJP chief was scheduled to co-lead a demonstration in Coimbatore on March 17 alongside AIADMK leader SP Velumani, underscoring continued cooperation.

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Palaniswami further urged the media not to misrepresent relations between him and Annamalai, stressing that there was no discord.

Reiterating his stance on TVK, he said an alliance could not be formed without any formal discussions. He maintained that the AIADMK had no contact with the party and had not engaged in any negotiations.

The AIADMK currently leads the NDA in Tamil Nadu.

Separately, Palaniswami said he shared a cordial relationship with AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran and that both would work together for electoral victory. He added that minor differences were natural in politics but had now been resolved. Dhinakaran was among several leaders expelled from the AIADMK in previous years.

On the state government’s recent announcement of a ₹5,000 payout to beneficiaries, Palaniswami alleged that the move was driven by electoral considerations and reflected the ruling DMK’s apprehension about the forthcoming polls.

CBI questions Vijay for over 7 hours

Earlier today, actor and TVK chief Vijay appeared before the CBI at its headquarters and was questioned for more than seven hours in connection with last year’s stampede at his rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which left 41 people dead, officials said.

The questioning, along with other formalities, concluded around 6 pm, after which he left the agency premises. This was the third round of questioning, following two earlier sessions held in January.

Vijay had previously been summoned on March 9 but sought a 15-day postponement. He had also requested that the interrogation be conducted in Chennai or elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, citing political commitments ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. However, officials said both requests were denied, and he was directed to appear at the agency’s headquarters.

(PTI)