Pandiarajan crosses over to O Panneerselvam’s group

Pandiarajan, the suave face of the AIADMK, arrived at the Greenways Road residence of Panneerselvam with his supporters and joined his group in the presence of other dissident leaders, including former Minister K P Munsamy and Rajya Sabha MP V Maithreyan.

Refering to OPS as ‘Arumai Annan, Pandiarajan said, “My belief is that here is the man who has captured the hearts of the masses. Amma’s legacy will continue to rest on his able shoulders and that is the reason I am here. We are here as followers of Puratchi Thalaivi Amma,” he said, adding that the “spirit of the masses” would carry the party through. “This is the voice of the collective,” he said, referring to support for OPS. “Every other MP and MLA will see the writing on the wall and will be right here,” Pandiarajan said. 

To a question, he said “we have no doubt about Governor Vidyasagar Rao’s impartiality.” Thanking Pandiarajan, OPS, in a veiled attack on Sasikala and her family, said “let us work and stop the party and government slipping into the hands of a family.” 

Senior party leader Ponnaiyan, Namakkal MP PR Sundaram and Krishnagiri MP Ashok Kumar, Tirupur MP Sathyabhama and Tiruvannamalai MP R Vanaroja also gave their support, as of 10 pm.