Thoothukudi: In the wake of growing rift between Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and the ruling AIADMK’s general secretary, V.K. Sasikala, support is pouring in for Mr. Panneerselvam in various parts of Thoothukudi district.
Former Vilathikulam MLA G.V. Markandeyan has extended support to Mr. Panneerselvam. A meeting led by the former MLA was convened at Vilathikulam, the stronghold of AIADMK, on Wednesday and scores of supporters with a sense of jubilation raised their voice saying ‘Amma’ was the only leader of the AIADMK and nobody could replace her role in the party.
Meanwhile, the cadres of Deepa Peravai expressed support to Mr. Panneerselvam.
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The ruling AIADMK has no representation in the Assembly, as the Opposition Congress and the DMK had won all the six constituencies in Kanniyakumari district in the 2016 elections.
Former Minister and Organising Secretary N. Thalavai Sundaram had lost to DMK with low margin in Kanniyakumari constituency.
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However, the party has enough strength in the district especially in eastern part, as the Congress and the BJP are strong in western part.
Since Mr. Panneerselvam broke his silence on Tuesday night, a former MLA and representative of the milk cooperative union expressed their support to OPS.
Chairman of the Kanniyakumari District Milk Producers Cooperative Union and MGR Youth Wing’s district secretary S.A. Asokan, claimed himself as “Ammavin Muratu Bakthan” when Jayalalithaa was imprisoned in Bengaluru prison, come out openly in favour of Mr. Panneerselvam on Wednesday morning. He left for Chennai to meet the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, former Kanniyakumari MLA and owner of a local newspaper Muthukrishnan expressed his support to Mr. Panneerselvam and urged him to withdraw his resignation letter.
Mr. Panneerselvam was trained by the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and he had the potential to lead the party with his soft approach, the former MLA added.