Sengottaiyan gives EPS 10 days to consider reinducting expelled leaders into AIADMK

The smouldering strife within the AIADMK over reinduction of expelled leaders such as O Panneerselvam into the party erupted again, with senior leader and former minister K A Sengottaiyan on Friday setting a deadline of 10 days for general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to "bring back" into the party fold all those who had left AIADMK.

- P SRINIVASAN @Erode

"The general secretary (EPS) can decide who should return, but leaders who held key responsibilities must be reinstated. If this does not happen, like-minded leaders will unite and do it," the nine-time MLA told reporters in Gobichettipalayam on Friday.

While AIADMK's principal ally BJP and expelled leaders such as OPS and V K Sasikala welcomed Sengottaiyan's announcement, most of the senior AIADMK leaders, including five former ministers named by Sengottaiyan in the press meet, have not openly reacted to the suggestion. At the press meet, Sengottaiyan recalled how former CMs and party stalwarts MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa readmitted into the party even those who had criticised them.