Chennai, Aug 4 (BPNS)

Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and expelled leader of the AIADMK, O. Panneerselvam has called upon the cadres not to resort to harsh words while reacting to criticism.

In a letter to his supporters, the former Chief Minister called upon his close supporters to resort to the model shown by former Chief Minister, C.N. Annadurai who is considered the man behind the advent of Dravidian politics.

OPS in the letter said, “ Like Perarignar Anna said, our popularity and the support people have for us should impress those criticize us. People and party men hate them and they are not able to take it. Their inability has turned into anger.”

It is to  be noted that OPS is involved in a bitter power struggle with the former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). With a brute majority in the general council of the AIADMK, EPS faction had cut O. Panneerselvam and his associates to size.

When Prime Minister, Narendra Modi reached Tamil Nadu for the inauguration of the Chess Olympiad, both the leaders met him. Sources in the AIADMK told BPNS that the Central unit of the BJP is keen that OPS is continuing in the AIADMK. The saffron party is also trying a patch-up between the two leaders as it does not want the vote bank of OPS, especially the power Thevar community to be split during the run upto the 2024 general elections.