Kadambur Raju Hits Back: AIADMK-BJP Split Wasn't A 'Historical Blunder'

Kadambur Raju, former AIADMK Minister, clarified allegations that he described the AIADMK's 1999 exit from the NDA as a 'historical blunder'. The remarks drew critiques from former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who defended Jayalalithaa's decision. Raju insists his comments were misrepresented.

On Thursday, former AIADMK state minister Kadambur Raju clarified that his comments regarding the party's 1999 exit from the NDA were misrepresented, insisting he never termed the decision a 'historical blunder'.

Raju's remarks, originally made during a joint AIADMK and BJP workers' meeting, suggested that the exit led to DMK's alliance with the BJP, thus empowering the latter. This claim drew criticism from O Panneerselvam, who argued that the decision under Jayalalithaa led to significant electoral wins for AIADMK.

Raju later stated that his words were twisted by vested interests, and emphasized his intent was merely to highlight the shifting narratives in political alliances.