In a dramatic political turn, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Monday night revealed that the BJP-led Central Government had come to his rescue after the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016, ensuring his government’s survival. Expressing gratitude, he formally announced that the AIADMK will now fight the upcoming Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP.

“Some people are saying the BJP is intimidating us. But the truth is they saved our government,” EPS declared at a charged public meeting in Chennai.

Recounting the turbulent days after Jayalalithaa’s demise, Palaniswami said several forces had attempted to “appropriate” the AIADMK, but it was New Delhi’s intervention that kept the party afloat.

Asserting his authority, EPS categorically ruled out any possibility of re-inducting former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) or expelled leader TTV Dhinakaran into the AIADMK fold. “We forgave and took back those who voted against our government and even made OPS Deputy Chief Minister, but they never reformed. Do they expect us to take such people back? Should we re-admit TTV, who abducted 18 of our MLAs?” he asked, drawing loud cheers from supporters.