Pride & predicament: OPS stuck after quitting NDA
O Panneerselvam
may have put up a brave front and parted ways with his long-time ally
BJP
citing his self-respect, but his political predicament remains unchanged. With no party or symbol, OPS's future hinges on
Election Commission
's decision on
AIADMK
leadership.
Only after that verdict would he be able to have a party of his own — either AIADMK or a new one.
For now, he has to remain relevant. Sources told TOI that OPS will take out a state-wide tour in the third week of August. Though the focus would be district headquarters, he would try to reach out especially to those who may be unhappy with AIADMK's alliance with BJP.
"The idea is to represent himself as someone standing up for the rights of AIADMK cadres.
The dates for the tour are yet to be finalized. OPS will keep himself busy for the next four months by meeting as many cadres as possible. Electoral alliance is something he is not in a hurry to finalise," an associate said. While OPS triggered speculation over his vist of chief minister M K Stalin on Thursday, his feelers to Vijay's TVK are yet to be acknowledged.
His supporters believe OPS, who hails from the Mukkulathor community, holds influence in approximately 30 assembly segments in Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram, and Sivaganga.
They believe members of the community — and many outside — would see him as a victim of the AIADMK-BJP alliance.
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OPS's wait for the Election Commission verdict on his petition claiming ownership of AIADMK may get longer, as the commission, had told the court that it would be difficult to fix timelines on deciding on AIADMK leadership and symbol. The commission has bought time by citing its workload because of the upcoming Bihar assembly election.
Panneerselvam has petitioned that he should be recognised as the AIADMK coordinator, emphasising that his five-year term ends only in 2026. Status quo of AIADMK as of 2021 should be maintained until the court decides on the pending civil suit, he said.
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