EPS loyalists demand handover of AIADMK Pudukkottai office keys

Pudukkottai: Tension prevailed in Pudukkottai on Tuesday as supporters of party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami gathered outside the RDO office, demanding the immediate handover of keys to the party’s district office.The protest comes amid uncertainty over the political future of Viralimalai MLA C Vijayabaskar, who was removed from his post as Pudukkottai north district secretary after voting for TVK govt during the confidence motion, along with 24 other AIADMK MLAs.Palaniswami then appointed V Palanivel in place of Vijayabaskar. However, when Palanivel attempted to assume charge at the party office in Ashok Nagar, he faced resistance from supporters of Vijayabaskar. Anticipating a law-and-order problem, police locked the office and deployed security personnel on the premises, which has remained closed since then.Seeking permission to open the office, Palanivel recently submitted party documents to the district administration and police. Based on the request, conciliation talks between representatives of the rival factions were held under the supervision of RDO on Tuesday. While representatives of the EPS faction attended the talks in full strength, Vijayabaskar’s camp was represented only by a lawyer. As supporters of the former minister failed to appear, officials adjourned the discussions and scheduled another round of talks for Wednesday. Officials said that if Vijayabaskar’s supporters fail to participate again, the office keys could be handed over to Palanivel.Meanwhile, Vijayabaskar in the last few days has been meeting voters across his constituency and thanking them. He is expected to announce his decision soon about his next course of action.