AIADMK cadre in Theni burst crackers, distribute sweets; say bad time has started for DMK with OPS’s entry

The AIADMK cadre in Theni district celebrated their expelled coordinator O Panneerselvam joining the rival DMK on Friday by bursting crackers and distributing sweets, saying it was good riddance.

As the news of Mr. Panneerselvam joining the ruling DMK reached his native Theni district, the AIADMK party functionaries, led by senior leader S.T.K Jakkayyan and others, burst crackers in many parts of the district and said “bad time has begun for DMK” and it would be all good and a rise for the opposition AIADMK.

AIADMK cadre bursting crackers at Periyakulam in Theni district.
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Thanking AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for his “assertive decision” not to entertain Mr. Panneerselvam back into the party, the functionaries said after holding the post of Chief Minister thrice during the AIADMK government and holding key positions in the party, the true colour of Mr. Panneerselvam has now been exposed.

“A loyal AIADMK cadre would never have dreamt to join the DMK, which was opposed tooth and nail by the party founder MGR and his successor Amma Jayalalithaa. This [upcoming Assembly] election would be sufficient to put a full stop to his political career as people would disregard him for having joined the DMK,” a functionary said.

In Madurai, former minister and AIADMK MLA R.B. Udayakumar said the AIADMK is becoming stronger day by day. The move of Mr. Panneerselvam has only vindicated the stand of the AIADMK, which had expelled him three years ago. Claiming to retrieve the AIADMK party, Mr. Panneerselvam has wound up and joined the DMK. “This showed he had neither any followers nor people trusted him,” the senior leader said.

Another senior leader and MLA V.V. Rajan Chellappa said Mr. Panneerselvam is not a tall leader with big following or mass appeal. By joining the DMK, it may be an advantage only for him and not for the party, he added.

A former MP from southern districts said Mr. Panneerselvam, who was considered a senior politician in Tamil Nadu and respected for his loyalty in the AIADMK, had washed them off in a single move by joining the DMK. “Wait and watch, he will be defeated in Bodinayakkanur Assembly constituency, if he gets a ticket from the DMK,” he said.