Tamil Nadu: Will Accept Speaker's Decision On Post Of Deputy Leader Of Opposition, Says OPS

Earlier, former Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami wrote to Assembly Speaker M Appavu seeking OPS' removal from the Deputy Leader of Opposition post

Days after former Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami wrote to Assembly Speaker M Appavu seeking OPS' removal from the Deputy Leader of Opposition post, AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam on Sunday said that he and his supporters will abide by the Speaker's decision.

Panneerselvam addressing mediapersons at Madurai airport said, "We will abide by what the Speaker (of the Assembly) will say tomorrow as to who will be the deputy leader of the Opposition."

While speaking about the party's long history he said, Former chief ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa formed and guided the AIADMK party to become one of the biggest movements in the state.

"They have chalked out rules on how this party should be run. Some people are trying to violate the rules. Hence, my supporters and I are organising a ‘dharma yutham’ to reunite all cadres and leaders. The media is claiming that we are on separate sides. Palaniswami and I are working towards strengthening the party," The New Indian Express said quoting Panneerselvam.

Earlier in a letter to the Speaker, Palaniswami said to elect Tirumangalam MLA RB Udayakumar, replacing Pannerselvam. as the Deputy Leader of Opposition. The change of leaders for the post would ensure Udayakumar would sit beside Palaniswami in the Assembly replacing Panneerselvam.

But Appavu recently emphasised that no one should ask for a change of seats based on "likes and dislikes" as the sitting arrangements were his prerogative.

OPS Recognised As Deputy Opposition Leader

Expelled AIADMK leader and party MLA, O Panneerselvam sat in the chair of Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly as Speaker M Appavu recognised the AIADMK leader as Deputy Leader of the Opposition while Edappadi Palaniswamy (EPS) faction boycotted the session.

"We're attending the Tamil Nadu Assembly session today as AIADMK MLAs. Why did they (the EPS faction) not attend today's session?" OPS questioned as quoted by ANI.