Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday revealed that he discussed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case on the alleged Tamil Nadu liquor scam involving the state-run TASMAC during his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Palaniswami urged Shah to initiate a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Palaniswami, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, met Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday evening. He stated that various key issues concerning Tamil Nadu, including the National Education Policy’s language formula, the release of central funds, and railway development projects, were discussed.
“We stressed that the two-language policy should continue in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, we requested the release of funds and implementation of various railway projects for the state,” Palaniswami told reporters in Delhi.
Regarding the liquor scam, Palaniswami highlighted the Madras High Court’s March 20 directive, which ordered the ED to halt its proceedings related to searches on TASMAC premises. He urged a thorough probe into the case.
Palaniswami dismissed speculations that his meeting with Shah involved discussions on reviving an AIADMK-BJP alliance for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
“There were no discussions about an alliance. We came here solely to address issues concerning the people of Tamil Nadu. The media is spreading alliance-related news for sensationalism. The elections are still a year away,” Palaniswami said.
He further clarified that AIADMK would consider alliance talks only after election dates are announced, stating, “In 2019 and 2021, we discussed alliances only closer to the elections. Our ideology remains unchanged, and alliances will be decided based on circumstances.”
AIADMK had formed an alliance with the BJP after the demise of J. Jayalalithaa in 2016. While the two parties contested the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections together—resulting in the BJP winning four seats—their alliance was officially severed in 2023.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M.K. Stalin has been vocal against the National Education Policy’s three-language formula, accusing the BJP-led central government of trying to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states.
On March 25, CM Stalin stated, “Except the BJP, all parties have supported our resolution against the three-language policy. We are firm in our stance and will never accept it.”
Palaniswami’s meeting with Amit Shah has sparked speculation, but AIADMK continues to maintain that its focus remains on addressing the state’s governance and economic issues.
