‘Edappadi’s calculations will be correct’: Velumani on DMK’s word of caution-OxBig News Network

S.P. Velumani. File
| Photo Credit: S. Siva Saravanan

The ‘calculations’ involving the AIADMK yet again emerged as a topic of discussion in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday (March 26, 2025). Brushing aside the DMK’s word of caution over ‘calculations’ against the AIADMK, S.P. Velumani, the Opposition party’s whip, maintained that “the calculations of party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami will be correct.”

Before winding up his speech in the Assembly, the AIADMK’s Kadambur C. Raju made a reference to Minister Thangam Thennarasu’s cautionary remark last week, warning its electoral rival not to get deceived by certain factors. The former Minister recalled that the AIADMK was founded only because their leader and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (when he was the DMK’s treasurer) sought to verify the ‘calculations’ of the then DMK leadership.

Mr. Raju went on to say: “We will finish off the account that is to be finished off in 2026, and we will open our account!” He further asserted that his party would emerge victorious under the leadership of Mr. Palaniswami. In response, Mr. Thennarasu said though the AIADMK was founded under such circumstances, it was making a “miscalculation” (thappu kanakku) this time.

Soon, Minister I. Periyasamy joined the discussion and contended that the AIADMK had “forgotten” its former CMs M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa. Mr. Velumani, however, asserted that “Edappadi’s calculations will be correct” just as those of the late leaders. He said: “If you calculate properly, you will realise that it is correct!”

Mr. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy, deputy general secretary of the AIADMK, took part in the Assembly proceedings on Wednesday, a day after their meeting with BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, along with Mr. Palaniswami. Former Minister P. Thangamani and party floor leader R.B. Udhayakumar were seen walking up to Mr. Munusamy’s seat in the last row and engaged in a discussion.