EPS did not keep his promise on Rajya Sabha seat to DMDK: Premalatha

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant asserted on Sunday (April 5, 2026) that Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami did not keep his promise of giving one Rajya Sabha seat to DMDK as agreed during the electoral pact between the two parties for 2024 Parliamentary elections.

She was responding to Mr. Palaniswami’s claim that he had not entered into any pact with DMDK on Rajya Sabha seat during Parliamentary polls in 2024 nor had he given any assurance to Ms. Premallatha during talks for Lok Sabha polls that year. 

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Addressing mediapersons at Arunachaleswar temple in Tiruvannamalai town, Ms. Premalatha said that she has remained silent on the issue so far to maintain dignity in public life. However, the former Chief Minister’s continued denial of his promise in public forums has forced her to publicly disapprove his claims on Rajya Sabha seat.

“Till now, I have never spoken publicly about the issue [RS seat]. Mr. Palaniswami’s undignified comments about the DMDK has forced me to openly disclose the written assurance given by him during the 2024 polls,” she said showing the document signed by both on his promise of Rajya Sabha seat. He denied the seat despite despite both the parties fighting polls since 2011, she pointed out.

In the agreement dated March 2024, AIADMK and DMDK had entered into an electoral pact for Parliamentary elections, which was held on April 19, 2024. As per accord, the two parties would jointly contest the elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The AIADMK agreed to allot five Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat to DMDK for the polls. The agreement was signed by Mr. Palaniswami and Ms. Premalatha.

The DMDK leader strongly condemned Mr. Palaniswami for referring DMDK as ‘Intensive Care Unit (ICU)’ party and 0.5% vote share party during election campaigns and public meetings for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

“Being a chief ministerial candidate for NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Palaniswami should behave in a dignified manner in public forums. Instead, the AIADMK leader speaks like a third grade political speaker.

The DMDK leader also gave a stern warning to PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss for making low level remarks on DMDK by referring to caste and family during his campaign. “We too can respond to Mr. Anbumani in the same way he has made his remarks. However, as a party that follows ideals of C.N. Annadurai and ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth, DMDK behaves in a more dignified manner in public life,” she said.