Flurry of parleys in AIADMK after ‘OPS as CM' poster in Theni

In Chennai, senior AIADMK ministers, including C Ve Shanmugam, P Thangamani and D Jayakumar after participating in the I-Day celebrations called on Palaniswami and Pannerselvam at their respective residences. The back-to-back meetings lasted for more than three hours which led to a lot of worry among party workers. According to party insiders, the senior leaders addressed the growing dissent between sulking factions of EPS and OPS who are allegedly at loggerheads over selecting the next CM candidate. A few ministers and party joint convenor R Vaithilingam stayed away from the controversy, advising others that the time was not conducive to discuss political succession when coronavirus infections were soaring in TN.

Earlier, Palaniswami asserted that he has the love and support of the people and vowed to continue for their well-being. His remarks assume significance and is seen as a veiled hint.

However, later, both EPS and OPS issued a joint statement advising party functionaries not to rake up controversies. “Strong action would be taken against those who create controversies. Party spokespersons and senior functionaries who participate in debates and press meets should refrain from sharing their personal views to the media,” the leaders stated in the communique, issuing a gag order for AIADMK functionaries. Reacting to this, ousted AIADMK leader KC Palanisamy said, “The ministers have decided to field EPS as the CM candidate and now they are in the process of forcing the OPS to give up.” Earlier in the day, AIADMK party spokesperson Pughazenthi said there are no issues in selecting the CM candidate and there is no need to discuss it as elections are due only next year. “There are no issues within the party,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam received the Chief Minister's Best Practices award for total computerisation of Finance, Treasury, Human Resources and Pension Management processes of the State during the 74th Independence Day fete. An official release said the Department of Treasuries and Accounts for conceptualizing integrated Financial and Human Resources management System (IFHRMS) has been chosen for the Chief Minister's Best Practices award.