BJP Leadership In Touch With Me, Says Ousted AIADMK Leader O Panneerselvam

On AIADMK's earlier demand to remove Annamalai from the post of Tamil Nadu BJP chief, OPS asked whether AIADMK would accept if BJP asked to replace Palaniswami (AIADMK General Secretary).

O Panneerselvam supported the leadership of Annamalai who earlier spoke against Dravidian icons including Anna and Jayalalithaa as Tamil Nadu BJP chief.

At a time when the principal Opposition party in Tamil Nadu--AIADMK--walked out of an alliance with NDA, former AIADMK Leader O Panneerselvam said that BJP leadership was in regular touch with him in the recent times. The statement of OPS on Thursday was the first time he openly spoke on the recent political development. Former Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam said, "The BJP leadership has been in regular touch with me (in recent times)."

Further, O Panneerselvam supported the leadership of Annamalai who earlier spoke against Dravidian icons including Anna and Jayalalithaa as Tamil Nadu BJP chief. 

On AIADMK's earlier demand to remove Annamalai from the post of Tamil Nadu BJP chief, OPS said, "Will the AIADMK accept if the BJP asks for replacing (AIADMK general secretary) Palaniswami? Will they replace him? Then how can they ask to change BJP State Leadership? What rights do they have?..." 

Chennai | Former Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam said, "The BJP leadership has been in regular touch with me (in recent times)... Will the AIADMK accept if the BJP asks for replacing (AIADMK general secretary) Palaniswami? Will they replace him? Then how can they ask to change BJP… pic.twitter.com/7xCrBCzHbZ

— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2023

However, it may be recalled that Annamalai refused to endorse EPS as CM candidate of Tamil Nadu in the Assembly elections 2026. 

O Panneerselvam has the support of Thevar community in south Tamil Nadu. With the support, it is also likely that OPS might bargain with the Centre. Ousted AIADMK leader Sasikala is also from the same community.

The BJP leadership with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was also reportedly making efforts to patch AIADMK with NDA.

However, AIADMK has categorically said that they will not ally with BJP again.