People give a rousing welcome to Saravanan, Madurai South MLA

In the aftermath of Panneerselvam’s outburst on the Marina on February 7 and the subsequent appointment of Sasikala’s family members to party posts cause severe resentment among the AIADMK MLAs and functionaries. Ahead of the trust vote in the Assembly, the Sasikala camp retained the AIADMK MLAs for several days at a resort in Koovathur on the outskirts of Chennai. Saravanan, who was also part of the group, somehow managed to escape from the resort and reach Panneerselvam’s house extending support to him. 

On Thursday, when he came to Madurai, he was given a grand welcome at his residence with a ‘poorna kumbha arathi’ at the Ganesh Temple on his street. Then Saravanan proceeded to his house where women extended a similar honour to him. His supporters carried Saravanan on their shoulders to his office accompanied by playing of traditional music instruments like ‘tharai’ and ‘thappattai.’ All along the route public honoured him with garlands. 

When he reached his office, sloganeering touched a peak and the whole area turned into a jubilant mood.

Miscreants damaged banners of former chief minister O Panneerselvam and Deepa put up in various places around Thanjavur. After the return of AIADMK MLAs to their respective constituencies, supporters of OPS and Deepa who have erected banners at various places protected them anticipating untoward incidents. 

However, late on Wednesday night when Deepa Peravai volunteers went around Athur, Gandhiji Road areas, they were shocked to find the banners damaged. Stating that the MLAs would have instructed their supporters to remove the banners which hail OPS and Deepa, they lodged a complaint with the police. “We have public support,” they added.