Ex-minister Paranjothi’s arrival may strengthen OPS camp in delta

With several ministers and former MLAs from the community already endorsing his leadership, former minister M Paranjothi, along with his supporters, has decided to join the OPS camp. 

At a time when the former chief minister has been touring the state to demonstrate his strength, the support he has got from few districts in the central region, including Tiruchy, has been overwhelming. These regions have a thick population of Mutharayyars, who play a crucial role in the elections. 

Even when OPS raised a banner of revolt resulting in a split in the party, former minister TP Poonachi has expressed his solidarity with OPS.  He organised a mega convergence of cadre in Tiruchy, when OPS called for a hunger strike. 

Similarly, former heavy weights of Tiruchy AIADMK — ex MLAs Balan of Lalgudi, Rathinavel of Musiri, Prince Thangavel, all were from Tiruchy and Lok Sabha member Maruthairaja of Perambalur and other leaders from the Mutharayyar community have sided with OPS. 

While some of the leaders from the community are reportedly in two minds, another strong man and former minister Paranjothi has announced that he is all set to join the OPS camp and has planned to meet him in Chennai on Friday with his supporters. 

Since, Paranjothi is one of the senior most party functionaries, his support to OPS faction would strengthen the camp in this region. 

However, sensing the issue, the ruling party has been trying to convince Paranjothi through Minister Vellamandi N Natarajan. But, Paranjothi is determined to join the OPS camp on Friday.