Former 3-time Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam quits BJP alliance

The announcement was made by Panneerselvam’s aide, Panruti S. Ramachandran, who stated that the faction, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Cadres’ Rights Retrieval Committee, was withdrawing from the alliance.

OPS was reportedly miffed at being excluded from meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit earlier this week. He was also excluded from the guest list when Home Minister Amit Shah visited.

This was after AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami revived ties with the BJP before the election.

OPS loyalist Panruti Ramachandran confirmed the withdrawal from the BJP.

On being pressed to reveal the reason for the break-up, Ramachandran, flanked by his boss, told reporters, "The reason is widely known".

The ex-Chief Minister's future plans will be announced shortly, Ramachandran said.

Panneerselvam, who was expelled from AIADMK in 2022, would embark on a statewide tour, and that future political alignments would depend on “circumstances”.

Speculations are rife that Pannerselvam might tie up with the ruling DMK.

The buzz started doing rounds after OPS met DMK boss and Chief Minister MK Stalin this morning.

However, joining hands with her arch-rivals might anger his supporters.