OPS flayed for son’s naming as MP in tablet

In the tablet at Kuchanur village in Theni district the name of OP Ravindranath Kumar, son of OPS and AIADMK candidate for the constituency, was mentioned as Theni MP.

The stone tablet was fixed in Kasi Sri Annapoorani Temple, in Kuchanur, on Thursday and the name of the donors were mentioned. After the name of Panneerselvam, name of his sons, Ravindranath and Jeyapradeep Kumar, were also mentioned but while mentioning the name of Ravindranath he was referred to as Theni MP. The incident created widespread controversy across the state.

Leaders of various political parties criticised the EC as Ravindranath was mentioned as MP even before the election results were announced and Panneerselvam was criticised for not taking action against the Temple management for mentioning his son as MP.

According to sources in Theni, the private temple is run by kin of Panneerselvam and after Panneerselvam made a huge donation to the temple, the stone tablet was installed in his name. But, the temple management did not take proper care in making the stone tablet. However, after the controversy arose the stone tablet was removed and was replaced by another one, on Friday.

However, leader of opposition parties demanded action on Ravindranath. Senior Congress leader and Theni Congress candidate EVKS Elangovan said, “Mentioning Ravindranath as Theni MP even before the election results are announced is a crime. The EC should take action on him by disqualifying his candidature.”

He also said that when a person who has not completed MBBS adds the degree after his name is treated as a criminal and the person is put behind bars, Ravindranath should also be treated as a criminal and should be arrested.

AMMK leader Thangatamilselvan, who is also the party candidate for Theni Lok Sabha constituency, flayed Panneerselvam for the incident. He said, “It is the duty Panneerselvam to prevent such incidents from happening and he should be held responsible for the incident.”