Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday instructed party functionaries to stop wasting energy on those who had quit the party and instead concentrate fully on the upcoming local body elections and bye-elections.Addressing a review meeting with the party’s Trichy district units at the AIADMK headquarters, Palaniswami reminded functionaries that the party had endured several electoral setbacks in the past but had returned to power with renewed strength. He said victory in the local body polls was crucial to reclaiming the party’s legacy and urged district leaders to intensify efforts to enrol more youth.“EPS strictly told us not to say anything about those who chased power and position. Our only focus is the local body polls and winning the bye-elections necessitated by the resignation of our MLAs. A sweeping victory should send a clear message to the betrayers and political rivals who underestimated us,” said a functionary from the Trichy North unit. Lalgudi MLA Leema Rose Martin also attended the meeting.Palaniswami is said to have heard out each functionary during the interaction. “We spent nearly two hours, and he allowed everyone to share their views. I requested him to take steps to bring more youngsters into the party,” another functionary said. Later in the afternoon, Palaniswami held a separate meeting with the Tirunelveli district units.
