‘If OPS apologises, AIADMK will forgive him’

Thanga Thamilselvan says no one will be allowed to divide the party

If O. Panneerselvam tendered an apology, the AIADMK would forgive him, said party’s district secretary Thanga Thamilselvan.

Talking to reporters after taking part in the district-level meeting held here on Tuesday, he said the party cadre were not against Mr. Panneerselvam, but his activities were against the unity of the party. Mr. Pannerselvam was made Chief Minister thrice – twice by Jayalalithaa and and the third time by V.K. Sasikala.

Initially, he supported Ms. Sasikala, but suddenly, he turned against her. No one would be allowed to divide the party and destroy it, Mr. Thanga Thamilselvan said.

Construction of Kumuli bus stand would be expedited as the government had sanctioned sufficient funds for the work. Steps would be taken to desilt major dams and tanks in the district to increase their water storage capacity, he said.

While addressing the party workers’ meeting in Bodi, he said the party would celebrate the birth anniversary of Jayalalithaa in four phases in the district. The first phase of celebrations would commence in Bodi and the remaining phases in Andipatti, Cumbum and Periyakulam.

After a gap of more than one and a half decades, party’s deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran was expected to attend the Bodi meeting in order to regain his power in the district, party sources said.

MLAs R. Kathirkamu and S.T.K. Jakkaiyan also participated in meeting. Tight security was provided to all the three MLAs. The venue was brought under a security blanket.

However, the supporters of Mr. Paneerselvam boycotted the meeting.