Chennai: BJP state president Nainar Nagentran on Friday stressed on unity among all factions of the AIADMK, saying only a consolidated opposition can challenge the DMK government in the upcoming elections. Speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to freedom fighter V O Chidambaranar on his birth anniversary, Nagentran said the internal differences within the AIADMK have to be resolved by the party leadership. His remarks came in response to the ultimatum given by senior AIADMK leader K A Sengottaiyan to the party chief for unification. “Every leader speaks in his own language. But if everyone was united, this DMK government would not have come to power. The people of Tamil Nadu need an alternative, and that can only come from unity (in the AIADMK),” Nagentran said. Asked about the possibility of fresh talks with the AIADMK factions ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leader said politics is a volatile subject. “Nothing is permanent. Even in the last month before the election, there can be significant changes,” he said.
Asked if he would hold talks directly with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to unite the factions, he said Palaniswami would initiate such talks. However, he is ready to intervene if needed. Calling for a broad opposition unity to oust the DMK from power, Nagentharan said, “Everyone should come together except the DMK. Only then can we form a strong alternative under the National Democratic Alliance.” He launched a scathing attack on the Stalin-led government, citing custodial deaths, rising incidents of drug abuse and sexual violence, and an alarming deterioration in law and order. He accused the chief minister of making frequent foreign trips without securing solid investments and cited rising property tax and power tariff as evidence of policy failure. “Small industries are grappling with annual duty hikes while they are being asked to pay deposits. Compare this with the central government, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are constantly giving tax relief. Tamil Nadu deserves a similar governance,” he argued.
