"Post-poll results will decide if govt is standalone or coalition," says AIADMK

Chennai (Tamil Nadu), April 17 (ANI): AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan on Thursday dismissed rift rumours within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, saying alliance 'decisions' will be taken after the election results and slammed "paid media on DMK's payroll" for spreading speculation
Speaking to ANI, Sathyan said the nature of the next government--whether standalone or coalition--would depend on the election outcome.
"Our leader, Edappadi K Palaniswami, made it clear that we have to address the alliance parties after the results of the elections. The nature of the results will determine whether the government is all by itself or a coalition government. Misrepresenting these two terminologies in their favour is the handwork of certain paid media on DMK's payroll," he said.
The AIADMK spokesperson added, "Our leader said that EPS would lead the alliance in Tamil Nadu. The ruling parties are there, and they will come and join with this leadership. The BJP and many other parties will come. Knowing that our alliance is very strong and will sweep the upcoming assembly, DMK wants to create a rift between us."
This clarification comes after the AIADMK and BJP, along with other parties, decided to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu together under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The AIADMK also responded to remarks made by Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthiran about ending dynastic politics and corruption. Sathyan said these points reflect the alliance's Common Minimum Programme (CMP).
"The first two CMP points are crystal clear--end 'parivarvad' and clean up corruption," he asserted.
On Wednesday, AIADMK MLAs protested in the Tamil Nadu Assembly against the DMK-led government for not allowing them to raise a no-confidence motion against state minister K Ponmudy and others, who had recently made controversial remarks about Hindu communities and women.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the motion was brought under Assembly rule 72, but Speaker M Appavu did not permit discussion.
While staging a walkout, AIADMK leaders raised slogans like "Where is democracy? No permission to raise people's issues."
The party wants to move a no-confidence motion against ministers K N Nehru, K Ponmudy, and V Senthil Balaji. While Nehru and Balaji are under ED investigation, Ponmudy has drawn criticism for derogatory statements.
Speaking on the AIADMK-BJP alliance, EPS said the elections will show the strength of the coalition.
"Only elections will decide the strength of the alliance. Votes without a split should defeat the enemy. We made efforts to coordinate with parties with the same thoughts, against DMK," he said.
He added that many more parties are expected to join.
"First, the BJP came into our alliance. Very soon, many other parties would come into our AIADMK-BJP alliance," he said.
The BJP-AIADMK alliance was formally announced on April 11, with EPS leading the campaign. He called it a "pivotal moment" and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance.
AIADMK has faced challenges in recent elections, both in the 2021 Assembly polls and the previous Lok Sabha election. The party allied with the BJP after the death of J Jayalalithaa in 2016. In 2021, the BJP won four seats in alliance with AIADMK, but the two parties broke ties in 2023 before reuniting for the 2026 Assembly polls. (ANI)