Panneerselvam criticises Palaniswami over ‘lack of leadership’

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Thursday (August 12, 2025) criticised the leadership qualities of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and claimed that his lack of leadership has led to the party facing consistent defeats.

“Those who are arrogant, and have a bad temper and poor behaviour are unfit for leadership positions. Since the AIADMK is stuck with former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, it is facing defeats,” he said in a statement.

Referring to an incident in Madurai, in which former Minister Sellur K. Raju was reportedly asked not to accompany Mr. Palaniswami in the same car, Mr. Panneerselvam termed it a “huge disrespect” to the senior AIADMK functionary.

Recalling another incident in which Rajya Sabha MP M. Thambidurai was reportedly not allowed to express his opinion during a recent press conference, Mr. Panneerselvam said it was an “insult” to the former Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker.

“There are many such incidents that have not come to light. It is said that those who support the reunification of the AIADMK [including attempts to let former functionaries to return] are being targeted,” Mr. Panneerselvam contended.

Underlining the leadership qualities of late AIADMK leaders and former Chief Ministers M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, he said they helped the party secure victories and kept it in power for over 30 years.

In another statement, Mr. Panneerselvam condemned the midnight detention of conservancy workers who were staging a protest opposing attempts to privatise certain operations by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

He further insisted that the Chief Minister hold talks with the protesting workers so that their demands are fulfilled. “Though assurances were made, a Minister is maintaining that they were not. The Chief Minister is maintaining silence,” Mr. Panneerselvam said.