OPS son as MP: Former cop held for installing plaque

Police sources said based on a complaint from the AIADMK functionaries, a former police head constable R Velmurugan (48), who is one of the trustees of Kasi Sri Annapoorani Temple near Kuchanoor in Theni district was arrested under three sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for erecting the stone plaque.

The family of Panneerselvam made liberal contribution for the construction and consecration of the temple that was held on Thursday. It was stated that Velmurugan erected the stone plaque in which the name of Raveendranath Kumar, who is the candidate of ruling AIADMK for Theni Lok Sabha constituency was engraved as Member of Parliament.

The plaque also describes the late J Jayalalithaa as the “Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” sparking criticism from the Opposition parties.

The DMK, Congress, CPM, AMMK parties demanded intervention of Election Commission into the matter, after the photographs of the stone plaque went viral on the social media.

As the issue snowballed into a controversy, the temple authorities covered the incorrect portion of the plaque on Friday. Meanwhile, Raveendranath Kumar strongly condemned the erection of erroneous plaque in the temple. He said it was aimed to defame his name and the party with malicious intention.

The ruling AIADMK will win all the 18 Assembly constituencies, where bypolls were held last month, said Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Saturday. He said the party would also win the Tiruparankundram, Ottapidaram, Aravakurichi and Sulur Assembly seats, which goes to polls today. Panneerselvam along with his family offered prayers at Srivilliputhur Andal temple.