‘Alliance only for elections; ideology is permanent’

Alliances were only for election time, whereas ideology was permanent, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said, asserting that minorities, particularly Muslims, need not fear the AIADMK’s association with the National Democratic Alliance as the party would continue to follow the ideological path laid down by late leaders M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa.

Addressing a campaign meeting in Nagapattinam, he said keeping an alliance with a party did not mean the AIADMK would listen to whatever the ally said. “We have clarified our alliance.

The NDA is led by the AIADMK, which will form the government. I will be announced as Chief Minister. In this case, where is Delhi coming here?” he asked.

Mr. Palaniswami said the alliance had been formed to avoid a split in votes and to enable the AIADMK to form the government. Parties changed alliances in every election, he remarked.

“All those parties now in alliance with the DMK were with the AIADMK in the past, and those with the AIADMK were earlier with the DMK. These change every election. But an AIADMK government will protect minorities no matter what. That is our permanent ideology,” he said.