Lok Sabha polls: OPS’ son may seek AIADMK ticket

Among the probable candidates, names of OP Ravindranath, son of party convenor O Panneerselvam and Mithun Kumar, son of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, are making rounds in the party circles as likely candidates for Theni and Salem districts. Meanwhile, the grapevine is that South Chennai MP D Jayavardhan is also disturbed as his south Chennai constituency is eyed by the BJP, which is holding parleys with the AIADMK for an alliance. The saffron party has plans to field BJP leaders H Raja or L Ganesan in south Chennai.

However, party insiders ruled out the possibility of CM’s son Mithun contesting, as Palaniswami is not keen on promoting nepotism in the party. “CM EPS has been targeting the DMK for promoting their family and he will not do such a mistake,” said an informed party senior adding that only OP Ravindranath has expressed willingness to contest and other political heirs will apply for seats only after getting clearance from the party top brass.

Meanwhile, AIADMK leader Jayakumar asserted that the party would lead a coalition of parties in Tamil Nadu for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. “Anything can happen in politics,” Jayakumar told reporters apparently not ruling out an alliance with the BJP. Asked if his party would tie up with the BJP, since Congress was already in the DMK camp, Jayakumar recalled the party coordinator Panneerselvam’s observations in this regard. “Our party leader, OPS, has said anything can happen in politics,” he added. Jayakumar also said that the party has formed an election manifesto committee and the poll works are progressing at full pace.

On why AIADMK began receiving applications from aspirants for all the 39 seats when the alliance talks were on, he said it is a routine affair in the party to encourage the functionaries. The exercise of receiving applications does not mean that the AIADMK will be contesting in all the constituencies, but the party will win all the 40 seats repeating the feat of our Amma, he said.

The AIADMK is charged up and the response from those seeking party tickets to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha polls is encouraging and the alliance talks with friendly parties will soon take shape, he said. AIADMK leaders Palaniswami, Panneerselvam and state Ministers inaugurated the distribution of the forms to party workers.

Minister OS Manian, who visited the DPCs in Nagapattinam on Monday along with Food Minister R Kamaraj said that the official announcement on the AIADMK alliance would be made within 15 days.

Speaking to reporters, Manian, who was asked about the establishing new sand quarries, said that there was a practical difficulty in establishing the quarries as there are a series of strict regulation and ensured that there will be no problem with m-sand and the people may get them without any difficulty.

When asked about the AIADMK alliance in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Manian said, the talks are on progress and the party leadership would decide on the alliance and finalise the seat sharing. “Within 15 days, the official announcement on the AIADMK alliance would be made,” assured the Minster.

He also said that the committee which has been formed for the purpose has been charting out the schedules and would arrive at a decision.