Edappadi K Palaniswami; O Panneerselvam 
Chennai

Reporter's dairy: Difference between a statesman and leader

But it took almost a day for EPS to respond. When OPS lost his wife Vijayalakshmi in 2021, EPS was the one of the first to console his former colleague. This time when a newsman indicated the tragic development in OPS’ family, EPS was blasé in extending his condolences.

DT NEXT Bureau

CHENNAI: The Supreme Court’s recent verdict in the AIADMK power tussle had landed in favour of former CM and leader of the opposition Edappadi K Palaniswamy and had temporarily ended the imbroglio which persisted in AIADMK for months.

Though O Panneerselvam lost before the court, he asserted that he’d take his struggle before the forum of the people and would succeed in retrieving his right over the Dravidian party. It’s noteworthy that OPS’ confidant and MLA PH Manoj Pandian had approached the Madras HC against the July 11 general council meeting resolutions.

However, OPS went through another phase of misfortune when his mother Palaniyammal died on Friday. ers cutting across the political lines – Chief Minister MK Stalin, AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, and BJP state president K Annamalai sent their condolence messages to OPS.

But it took almost a day for EPS to respond. When OPS lost his wife Vijayalakshmi in 2021, EPS was the one of the first to console his former colleague. This time when a newsman indicated the tragic development in OPS’ family, EPS was blasé in extending his condolences.

Getting an opportunity to head a party is undoubtedly a major win, and of course comes with great responsibility. However, being a statesman is a matter of choice.

During a bereavement, party lines and ideologies don’t matter, as end of life is a force that unites all the living.

— M Manikandan, Chennai

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android

CM Vijay appoints Aadhav, Arunraj to oversee Maduranthakam, Dharapuram bypolls respectively

Chennai airport’s long-awaited pick-up plaza finally set to open

Seeman urges TN govt to drop proposed Pattinapakkam Secretariat project

BRICS adopts New Delhi Declaration with consensus

Iraq races to contain fallout after local Iran-backed militias accused of attacking Saudi pipeline

SCROLL FOR NEXT