CHENNAI: After hectic parleys with BJP amid his intense battle to reclaim AIADMK, former chief minister O Panneerselvam on Thursday announced his decision to contest from Ramanathapuram constirtuency on a free symbol in the BJP-led NDA alliance. He would be facing IUML’s incumbent Navas K Kani, a DMK ally. “I will contest to prove my strength instead of fielding a cadre.When we do so, the AIADMK will come to us on its own,” the ousted AIADMK leader told reporters in Chennai. He said Union home minister Amit Shah wished him on his decision to contest as an independent candidate.
Sources said BJP had completed the seat sharing deal with allies on Thursday and requested Panneerselvam to contest in one seat on its lotus symbol. Panneerselvam demanded three seats from the BJP and declined to contest on the lotus symbol. The former chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been rendering great service to the nation for the last 10 years and he should win a consecutive third term.
“India will become a fully developed nation when he gets a consecutive term. We have extended full support (to the BJP),” OPS said. As deadlock continued in poll talks, Panneerselvam convened a meeting of his district secretaries and office-bearers on Thursday to decide further course of action. The functionaries vested powers with OPS to negotiate the number of seats, identify seats and field candidates.
Panneerselvam’s civil suit against the AIADMK general council resolutions that expelled him and his supporters is pending in the Madras high court. “There is a compulsion to contest and prove our strength in a seat,” OPS said. Panneerselvam is a five-time MLA from Periyakulam and Bodinayakkanur constituencies in Theni district. Theni Parliamentary constituency is represented by his son, P Raveendhranath.
OPS associate and Orathanadu MLA R Vaithilingam rejected suggestions about differences of opinion among functionaries and exuded confidence about reclaiming AIADMK.
Sources said BJP had completed the seat sharing deal with allies on Thursday and requested Panneerselvam to contest in one seat on its lotus symbol. Panneerselvam demanded three seats from the BJP and declined to contest on the lotus symbol. The former chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been rendering great service to the nation for the last 10 years and he should win a consecutive third term.
“India will become a fully developed nation when he gets a consecutive term. We have extended full support (to the BJP),” OPS said. As deadlock continued in poll talks, Panneerselvam convened a meeting of his district secretaries and office-bearers on Thursday to decide further course of action. The functionaries vested powers with OPS to negotiate the number of seats, identify seats and field candidates.
Panneerselvam’s civil suit against the AIADMK general council resolutions that expelled him and his supporters is pending in the Madras high court. “There is a compulsion to contest and prove our strength in a seat,” OPS said. Panneerselvam is a five-time MLA from Periyakulam and Bodinayakkanur constituencies in Theni district. Theni Parliamentary constituency is represented by his son, P Raveendhranath.
OPS associate and Orathanadu MLA R Vaithilingam rejected suggestions about differences of opinion among functionaries and exuded confidence about reclaiming AIADMK.
