'Ended Alliance With BJP As Per Your Wish. Now Support AIADMK': EPS Plea To Muslim Community

Days after the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (AIADMK) exit from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), its general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), while speaking at a party programme in Salem district, told Muslims that the party had acted according to their wishes and they should now vote for the party.

In a video clip posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Sukumar Dharapuram, a state secretary of the cooperative wing of the BJP, EPS can be heard saying at a party meeting, "A large number of Muslims have come here. Anna DMK has done what you have wished for. Likewise you have to strongly support us in securing victory for our candidate.

"I have heard that a large number of Muslims live here. You all have to reach out to Muslims directly and make them aware about the extent to which the Anna DMK has protected the interests of minorities.

"I am from this area, I will be in Salem, we can meet whenever necessary. Just like the eyelid protects the eye, the AIADMK will be the first to provide security to the minorities."

AIADMK leaders have previously stated that their association with the BJP had cost them minority votes. While CV Shanmugam said this after the 2021 Assembly elections, another leader KA Sengottaiyan said the same after the Erode East bypoll.

The party recently reiterated its earlier stand against the implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

The reinduction of former Ramanathapuram MP Anwar Raajhaa, known to criticise the BJP, in August, was also seen as a move by the AIADMK to woo Muslims.