‘Meeting claims won’t hit OPS-EPS’ stature, may go against TTV’

“After the OPS–Dhinakaran meeting, the two most discussed topics in the AIADMK circles are that ‘who stands to gain through the revelation’ and ‘who wanted to delay the by-elections. This is a big setback for both EPS and OPS,” said Sukumar Babu, organising secretary, AMMK. 

For thousands of party cadre, who stood by OPS to oust Dhinakaran, it was a shock when they came to know that OPS-Dhinakaran meeting. Dhinakaran, not only settled his scores, but also exposed OPS and the political stature of the AIADMK convenor, who is now under crisis, added Sukumar Babu. 

However, the OPS camp feels that the turn of events was well handled by the AIADMK. 

“Dhinakaran has lost his political decency by revealing the confidential meetings. During times of political crisis or elections, leaders of different parties will hold such secret meets to discuss poll strategies. But after the recent revelations, leaders in the state will avoid Dhinakaran for this unethical practice,” AIADMK deputy co-convenor K P Munusamy told DT Next. 

“OPS merger with EPS was a practical decision and the recent turn of events had helped the CM prove that he was a strategical politician,” opined political analyst Raveendran Duraisamy. 

“Delaying the by-polls is again a strategical move and breather for the party that has lost R K Nagar. Palaniswami had survived a year along with keeping the flock together,” he added. 

However, political observers feel that one has to wait and watch for the coming election to know about the political stature of OPS, EPS and Dhinakaran.