Tamil Nadu CM and his deputy share stage amid 'differences'

Amid reports of a growing rift between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, the two leaders were seen sharing a stage to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 151st birth anniversary. State Governor Banwarilal Purohit was also present during the event.

Chennai: Days after reports of differences between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, both leaders were present to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 151st birth anniversary on Friday.

Both leaders also shared the stage along with State Governor Banwarilal Purohit.

On Thursday state's Fisheries and Administration Reforms Minister D Jayakumar sought to play down reports of differences between Palaniswami and Panneerselvam, saying that there are no differences between the two.

Read:|No rift between Palaniswami and Panneerselvam, says minister

On reports that Panneerselvam earlier skipped the meeting called by the Chief Minister and met party members, he said, "He is our party organisation coordinator, so what is the problem if he meets party members. There could be many reasons for not attending the Chief Minister's meeting, like meeting medical experts etc. But please do not link it to politics," said the Minister for Fisheries and Administration Reforms.

Some reports said that Panneerselvam had skipped the meeting called by the Chief Minister on Tuesday to review COVID pandemic situation in the State, but met party members.

Earlier, sources told reporters that during the AIADMK's executive party meet on Monday, the discussions for party's Chief Ministerial face was debated for more than five hours with Palaniswami and Panneerselvam in the race.

During the meeting, it was also felt that in case the current Chief Minister was not named as the candidate for the next year's Assembly elections it would make the party and its government in the State a subject of ridicule for the Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

ANI report

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