O Panneerselvam mulling DMK exit over turf war, lack of opportunities: Report
There were reports that O Panneerselvam and his son will leave the DMK for the TVK, as their camp was not getting the kind of treatment that they expected at the time of arrival
Six months after joining the DMK, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is reportedly expressing dissatisfaction and is considering leaving the party. Having lost a leadership battle within AIADMK and subsequently aligning with the DMK for the assembly polls, Panneerselvam secured victory from Bodinayakkanur. However, his expectations of being assigned key responsibilities in the Theni Lok Sabha constituency have not been met, with Thanga Tamil Selvan maintaining a stronger influence in the region. This perceived lack of opportunity is reportedly prompting Panneerselvam and his son, OP Raveendranath, to re-evaluate their political future and explore alternatives. Earlier, Panneerselvam had dismissed rumors of his discontent and potential move to Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), while also emphasizing the DMK's foundational role in Tamil Nadu's Dravidian politics.
Six months after joining the DMK, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is reportedly expressing dissatisfaction and is considering leaving the party. Having lost a leadership battle within AIADMK and subsequently aligning with the DMK for the assembly polls, Panneerselvam secured victory from Bodinayakkanur. However, his expectations of being assigned key responsibilities in the Theni Lok Sabha constituency have not been met, with Thanga Tamil Selvan maintaining a stronger influence in the region. This perceived lack of opportunity is reportedly prompting Panneerselvam and his son, OP Raveendranath, to re-evaluate their political future and explore alternatives. Earlier, Panneerselvam had dismissed rumors of his discontent and potential move to Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), while also emphasizing the DMK's foundational role in Tamil Nadu's Dravidian politics.
Six months after joining the DMK, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is reportedly expressing dissatisfaction and is considering leaving the party. Having lost a leadership battle within AIADMK and subsequently aligning with the DMK for the assembly polls, Panneerselvam secured victory from Bodinayakkanur. However, his expectations of being assigned key responsibilities in the Theni Lok Sabha constituency have not been met, with Thanga Tamil Selvan maintaining a stronger influence in the region. This perceived lack of opportunity is reportedly prompting Panneerselvam and his son, OP Raveendranath, to re-evaluate their political future and explore alternatives. Earlier, Panneerselvam had dismissed rumors of his discontent and potential move to Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), while also emphasizing the DMK's foundational role in Tamil Nadu's Dravidian politics.
Six months after joining the DMK camp, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam is not happy with how things have turned out and may head for the exit door, a new report claimed.
Former AIADMK strongman Panneerselvam, who fought and lost a bitter leadership battle with Edappadi Palaniswami ahead of his exit, joined hands with MK Stalin ahead of the assembly polls held earlier this year. He successfully contested from his bastion of Bodinayakkanur for the DMK -- the political rival he fought tooth and nail for most of his political career. He emerged victorious amidst the TVK wave sweeping across the state -- breaking the decades-old duopoly of the Dravidian majors.
According to reports, OPS was hopeful that the DMK would hand him important responsibilities in the Theni Lok Sabha constituency. However, even after six months, Thanga Tamil Selvan remains Stalin's go-to man in the region. As far as OPS and his son OP Raveendranath are concerned, this is not the ideal path ahead, and they are being forced to look for an alternative.
Earlier in July, OPS had reacted to similar rumours of his growing displeasure over not being allotted any role within the DMK setup and considering joining Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). "This is a rumour and political mischief-makers are behind this. It is a rumour, plain and simple. There is nothing more to it. Hence, the claim does not warrant scrutiny at all," he had reportedly said.
Panneerselvam had used the opportunity to vouch that the DMK was "the parent body, the fountainhead of the Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu."