Chennai: AIADMK coordinator and Deputy Chief Minister O Pannerselvam on Wednesday said his son P Ravindranath had expressed desire to contest the coming Lok Sabha polls and there was nothing wrong in that as the party policy had always been that anyone qualified and having talent can enter politics and contest polls.
“The CM and I have already said those wishing to fight the (Lok Sabha) elections can apply. Only on that basis has he submitted his application”, OPS told reporters at the airport here. “And I insist, all the primary members of the AIADMK have the right to contest elections”.
OPS was responding to the criticism from TTV Dhinakaran who took a swipe at him on Tuesday for his son applying for poll ticket whereas the father had earlier spoken against family politics in the AIADMK (during his dharma-yudham opposing the domination of the Sasikala family).
OPS’s son Ravindranath heads the AIADMK unit in home district Theni and has been a strong hand in the region, particularly in spearheading the tussle against the Sasikala-TTV dominated Thevar belt. He was among the first to pick up an application form for AIADMK ticket for the ensuing LS polls when the counter opened at the party headquarters here on Monday.
“I had then only said the party and the government should not go into the hands of the Sasikala family”, said OPS, recalling that Jayalalithaa had expelled Sasikala and her relatives from the party, and readmitted only Sasikala after she issued an apology.
“The family that was sacked by Amma had tried to usurp the party and government (after Jayalalithaa’s death) and it was only under those circumstances did I start my dharma-yudham,” said OPS, who as CM had launched his fight against Sasikala and her family members. “I had only referred to that family, but otherwise anyone with qualification and talent can enter politics. They can remain in politics (only) if people accept them,” he said.
To a question on electoral alliance for the LS polls, he reiterated that only his party would lead any emerging alliance. Talks were going on with some national and regional parties, he said, adding “a good decision will be arrived at soon” in this connection.
