Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam (OPS), who was expelled from the AIADMK, has initiated discussions with the BJP state leadership as the 2024 Lok Sabha polls draw closer. The move comes despite the rocky relationship between the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit and the official faction of the AIADMK.
OPS, who hails from the influential Thevar community with a strong presence in South Tamil Nadu, is attempting to capitalize on the disagreement between BJP state president K. Annamalai and the AIADMK leadership. In a meeting held in Chennai on Saturday, OPS gathered the district secretaries of his faction to discuss the way forward, resulting in the decision to engage in talks with the BJP.
Sources within OPS’s faction who attended the meeting expressed optimism and a desire among local leaders and party members to establish direct ties with the BJP and secure a number of seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This move is especially significant since both OPS and V.K. Sasikala, the former interim general secretary of the AIADMK, were expelled from the party. Given their shared Thevar background, OPS’s faction hopes to gain support from the community.
The discussions between OPS and the BJP leadership are a reflection of the changing political landscape in Tamil Nadu. As the 2024 Lok Sabha polls approach, alliances and new alignments are being formed in order to gain an advantage. OPS, known for his political acumen, is strategically attempting to position his faction as a viable alternative to the AIADMK by establishing ties with the BJP. This move could bring about major shifts in the dynamics of Tamil Nadu politics.
However, it is important to note that the BJP’s relationship with the AIADMK official faction remains uncertain, with open conflicts between BJP state president K. Annamalai and the AIADMK leadership. Despite this, OPS sees an opportunity to establish a foothold within the BJP and potentially gain support for his faction’s ambitions in the upcoming polls.
As the discussions between OPS and the BJP progress, it will be interesting to see how the political landscape in Tamil Nadu evolves. With alliances forming and realignments occurring, the 2024 Lok Sabha polls hold the potential for significant changes in the state’s political scenario. OPS, leveraging his Thevar community background, is seeking to capitalize on these developments and secure a prominent position for his faction in the upcoming elections. Whether his efforts will succeed and how they will impact the overall political landscape in Tamil Nadu remains to be seen.
