Latest news with #AIADMK
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Palaniswami promises protection to traditional fishermen, holds meeting with weavers
Promising protection and a meaningful dialogue with Sri Lankan government through Union government, the interests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu would be accorded priority, AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said here on Thursday. Speaking at an interaction with leaders of fishermen and representatives of weavers, accompanied by former Minister and AIADMK MLA R.B. Udayakumar, Mr. Palaniswami said that the AIADMK, if elected to power in 2026 elections, would certainly take up the issue of fishermen with the Union government. 'I give an assurance that there will be a big change in your lives and we will find a lasting solution,' he said. The country boat fishermen submitted a memorandum to the former Chief Minister, who assured them to look into their grievances. The AIADMK government had not only ordered waiver of crop loans during crisis due to natural calamities, but also helped farmers get ₹540 crore through claims from the insurance companies. The eligible farmers were given three-phase power connection with 24-hour quality electricity, he pointed out. The AIADMK government had desilted tanks and channels under special scheme by earmarking funds. Such was the commitment to stakeholders, Mr. Palaniswami said and wanted the fishermen leaders to think of the situation now. The AIADMK had proposed to establish Cauvery-Gundar water scheme at ₹14,400 crore and preparatory work was commenced then. However, the DMK had put it in cold storage. He promised that the AIADMK would revive the ambitious project and sought the support of farmers. River linking scheme A surplus of 1.24 lakh cusecs of water released from Mettur dam drained into the sea in the last few days. Had the Cauvery-Gundar scheme been implemented, this water could have reached parched regions such as Ramanathapuram district, he said. The weavers' cooperative societies were generating generating in a big way because of innovative schemes launched by them (AIADMK) while he urged the members to think of their present plight. Later, Mr. Palaniswami visited the King Sethupathi palace, where he was received by Muthuramalinga Nagendra Sethupathi and his mother Lakshmi Nachiar. He was taken around the palace and shown the antiques. He paid tributes to the portrait of the late King.
India.com
3 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Tamil Nadu Polls: OPS Exits NDA After Snub; Whats His Next Move - DMK or Vijays TVK?
Tamil Nadu Election 2026: In a new twist in Tamil Nadu politics ahead of the 2026 assembly polls, former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) has officially announced its exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition party of Tamil Nadu, AIADMK, have joined hands recently for the state assembly polls. The declaration of exiting the NDA was made by senior leader and OPS loyalist Panruti S. Ramachandran. Tensions With EPS, BJP Notably, OPS, once a key leader of the AIADMK and a former ally of the BJP within the NDA, has been politically adrift since a bitter power struggle with Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) led to a split in the AIADMK. The legal battle between the OPS faction and the EPS faction over the control of the AIADMK is still on, and the same may create trouble during next year's election if the issue is not resolved before that. Since the BJP has grown closer to the EPS, who is leading the AIADMK, the saffron party has reportedly been ignoring OPS. The split follows what is widely viewed as a snub by the central leadership. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Tamil Nadu, OPS had written to him seeking an appointment, expressing that it would be his 'singular honour' to meet the Prime Minister at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. However, the request was reportedly declined, leaving the OPS camp disappointed. In the aftermath, OPS took to social media to criticise the Union Government for delays in releasing funds under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, signalling a growing rift with the BJP. His departure from the NDA is now being seen as the culmination of these tensions. OPS's Next Political Move OPS is now preparing to embark on a statewide tour in the lead-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Adding an element of political intrigue, OPS met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during a morning walk earlier today, raising speculation about potential future alignments. According to reports, the OPS faction is also in talks with actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). OPS reportedly has two relevant options - the ruling DMK or the debutant TVK spearheaded by Vijay. As per reports, TVK is also keen on inducting OPS as the party believes the former CM holds ground in key parts of the state. Strong Support From Thevar Community The exit of the OPS faction from the NDA is expected to impact Tamil Nadu's political landscape significantly, especially among the Thevar community, a powerful social group in southern Tamil Nadu that has traditionally backed the AIADMK. It remains to be seen how the community will respond to OPS' decision to walk away from the BJP alliance. With the 2026 elections looming, the move sets the stage for potential realignments and shifting loyalties in the state's dynamic political scene.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
3-Time Tamil Nadu Chief Minister OPS Quits BJP Alliance. Why It Matters
Chennai: The BJP's Tamil Nadu election plans took a hit after three-time ex-Chief Minister O Panneerselvam - from the influential Thevar community - led his AIADMK loyalists out of the national party-led alliance. OPS was reportedly miffed at being excluded from meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit earlier this week. He was also excluded from the guest list when Home Minister Amit Shah visited. OPS loyalist Panruti Ramachandran confirmed the withdrawal; pressed on the reason for the break-up Mr Ramachandran, flanked by his boss, told reporters "the reason is widely known". The ex-Chief Minister's future plans will be announced shortly, Mr Ramachandran said. "... a right alliance to lead the people in the right direction will materialise in the future". For now, he also said, OPS will travel the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. But OPS' options are limited. He could ally with the ruling DMK. There was plenty of buzz after OPS met DMK boss and Chief Minister MK Stalin this morning, but the meeting was played down as a chance encounter during a morning constitutional. #WATCH | Former Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam calls on CM M.K. Stalin, in Chennai. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin also present. (Video: DMK) — ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2025 However, hours later OPS met Mr Stalin at his residence. Udhayanidhi Stalin, the latter's son and Deputy Chief Minister, was also present. A video shared by the DMK showed them chatting amiably. Sources told NDTV that OPS had asked after the Chief Minister's health; Mr Stalin was released from a city hospital earlier this week after undergoing a "therapeutic procedure" for "variations in heart rate". O Panneerselvam with J Jayalalithaa (File). But an alliance with the DMK could be problematic given OPS is seen as the 'true heir' of AIADMK icon and ex-Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Joining hands with her arch-rivals will anger his supporters. He could contest next year's election solo. He will almost certainly not win enough seats to form the government, but could win enough, backed by the Thevar voters from the south, to become a 'kingmaker' and secure his own political future. Or he could patch up with the Bharatiya Janata Party and return to the NDA fold. The BJP and he were allies for the 2024 Lok Sabha poll; this was when the AIADMK itself had split from the national party. Tamil actor-politician Vijay and his TVK are seen as dark horses for the 2026 election. Another possibility, and an intriguing one, is that OPS could join actor-politician VIjay and his fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Vijay's fiery electoral debut has seen him castigate the DMK and AIADMK - the Dravidian parties that control the Tamil political landscape - and the BJP, ruling out any alliances. Either way, why is OPS so significant? Because, despite being sidelined in state politics over the past few years - the result of a leadership struggle with Edapaddi K Palaniswami that led to his expulsion in July 2022 - Mr Panneerselvam still has a large support base and the trust of a section of the AIADMK's on-ground workers. A three-time MLA from Bodinayakkanur in Theni district, OPS is a big name among the Thevar, or Mukkulathor, community that accounts for 10-12 per cent of the state's population. In the 2021 election a majority of the Thevar vote - around 55 per cent - went to the AIADMK. But it was still beaten; the party won only 75 seats (136 in 2016) to the DMK's 159 (up from 98). AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam (right) and E Palaniswami (File). A chunk of those - 44 - came from western Tamil Nadu; the shift in the Gounder community vote was critical to these victories. But a sizeable number - 15 - came from the south. Losing, potentially, OPS' support could dent chances for the BJP (and its on-again allies, the AIADMK) to finally do what it has traditionally struggled to - crack the Tamil voter conundrum. OPS going it alone will certainly split the Thevar community vote in the south and, possibly, those from other communities that usually vote for the AIADMK. Ideally the BJP - which has insisted it will stay out of its ally's internal leadership problems - would like to retain the support of the AIADMK as a whole, i.e., OPS and EPS. That, however, may not work out.
Economic Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Ex-TN Chief Minister O Panneerselvam group walks out of the BJP-led NDA coalition
Agencies Ex-Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (File Photo) Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam-led AIADMK Cadres Rights Retrieval Committee on Thursday walked out of the BJP-led NDA S Ramachandran, a veteran leader and advisor to the Committee announced the decision. Speaking to reporters, Ramachandran, flanked by Panneerselvam and panel leaders said: "Hereafter, the Committee will not be a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)." The decision to move away from the NDA was unanimous, he said answering a behalf of the Committee, its chief, Panneerselvam will soon commence tour of several parts of the state and it has been resolved to decide on the question of alliance in future according to the political circumstances, he added. Asked on the reasons for quitting the NDA, Ramachandran said the reason was widely known and there was no necessity to explain expressing confidence that "a right alliance to lead the people in the right direction will materialise in future." Asked if the BJP has betrayed Panneerselvam-led panel, Ramachandran said he need not spell out what the BJP did to the Committee as the nation knows a question, Panneerselvam said he met Stalin here during his morning walk and that he moved on after conveying his speculations about his next move, when Panneerselvam strongly condemned the union government on July 29 for not releasing 'Samagra Shiksha' funds to Tamil Nadu it became more clear that he was preparing to move out of the known as OPS, Panneerselvam's attempt to get an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tamil Nadu on July 26 and 27 also did not materialise. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami met the prime minister at Tiruchirappalli airport on July 26 night. Also, Panneerselvam had not been invited when Amit Shah visited the state in recent partnered with the NDA for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and at that time, the AIADMK was not part of the BJP alliance as it had pulled out of the coalition in September 2023. In April this year, the AIADMK revived ties with the who was expelled from the AIADMK on July 11, 2022, continues to contest the leadership of Palaniswami. Attempts of OPS and his supporters aimed at rapprochement have so far not yielded this day, OPS has maintained that he is an "AIADMK man," and had ruled out floating a separate political party and the BJP top leadership had asserted that it would not interfere in the internal affairs of its ally, the late, there has been speculation that OPS may strike an alliance with actor-politician Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for the 2026 Assembly polls as the BJP did not show clear signs of accommodating him. However, Panruti Ramachandran, while speaking to reporters on Thursday, did not give a categorical answer to a related question.
Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Snubbed OPS makes it formal, exits NDA in Tamil Nadu; Vijay's party may be next halt
Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK rebel O Panneerselvam on Thursday formally announced his exit from the BJP-led NDA, ending a strained and often ambiguous relationship with the coalition. The move, long anticipated within political circles, came after what supporters of Panneerselvam, commonly known as OPS, described as months of humiliation and political neglect by the BJP's central leadership – with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, most recently, denying him an audience during his visit to the state. The announcement that OPS's outfit AIADMK Cadres' Rights Retrieval Committee was leaving the NDA was made by the ex-CM's aide Panruti S Ramachandran at a press meeting in Chennai Thursday. After declaring that the Committee was leaving the NDA for 'reasons that are well-known to everyone', Ramachandran said OPS would not be aligning with any other party for now and would soon embark on a statewide tour. 'We will consider future alliances depending on the political climate,' he said. OPS, who was present at the press meeting, chose not to speak, directing all questions to Panruti. Top sources close to OPS said the decision to break away from the NDA had been brewing for weeks. 'He felt completely dejected,' said a source familiar with discussions within the party. 'He expected that the Prime Minister would at least meet him during the recent visit. But nothing. That was the final straw.' OPS had requested to be part of the group of leaders who received Modi at the airport in Chennai – a ceremonial gesture but with much political import. However, he was not included, even as leaders like G K Vasan of NDA ally Tamil Maanila Congress were invited to meet Modi. A confidant of OPS, who is no longer active in politics, said the former CM felt 'used' by the Sangh Parivar, alleging that his rebellion against EPS (Edappadi K Palaniswami) in the AIADMK was 'on the advice of BJP and RSS leaders'. 'But eventually, the BJP embraced EPS and ignored OPS. He felt betrayed.' On OPS's next move, a close aide confirmed that discussions with actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) were underway. 'There are only two real options – the DMK or TVK. The TVK is the frontrunner now,' the aide said. He added that OPS may bring along another influential AIADMK rebel, T T V Dhinakaran, which would mark a consolidation of influence across southern Tamil Nadu. The nephew of Sasikala, who was the close confidante of late AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, Dhinakaran has been trying to find his feet in the state just like OPS. A senior TVK leader also indicated the party was open to taking OPS along. 'We have no reason to reject him. He is a former CM. His camp includes an ex-minister and four former MLAs. OPS still holds ground in parts of the state,' the leader said. The DMK was tight-lipped on OPS though, with both camps dismissing speculation that the former CM's decision to leave the NDA had followed a meeting with Stalin during their morning walk. 'They may have crossed paths during walks at the Theosophical Society,' a senior DMK leader said. 'But that means nothing. If they met at the CM's residence, it would be a different story.' As for the NDA, OPS's departure further tethers the BJP's fortunes in Tamil Nadu to the EPS-led AIADMK, though legal battles over the party's control are not over yet. A senior AIADMK leader who was with OPS at the peak of his internal party revolt in 2017 suggested that the leader was left with few choices. 'It is not a decision of strength, but of survival… OPS once believed the BJP would restore his power; instead, he lost his CM post, his party post, his party itself, and his people – and now, even their pretence of support.' The leader alleged that this was a script that was not new for the BJP – 'forcefully own a leader, make him do the worst, drain him, and discard him'.
