Chennai: Chief minister O Panneerselvam’s dissident camp continued to gain traction on Sunday with six more MPs and two film stars extending their support. With this, the numbers of MPs in the camp has now risen to 11 - 9 from Lok Sabha and two from Rajya Sabha.
Support poured in for the OPS camp for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday as five Lok Sabha MPs — Jaisingh Thiyagaraj Natterjee, Senguttuvan, R P Marutharaja, S Rajendran and R Parthipan representing Tuticorin, Vellore, Perambalur, Villupuram and Theni respectively — met him at his Greenways Road residence and extended their support. Mr Parthipan hails from Theni, the home district of OPS.
Rajya Sabha MP R Lakshmanan also met Mr Panneerselvam and offered his support. Immediately after Mr Lakshmanan joined the OPS camp, he was relieved from the post of Villupuram (North) district secretary by Ms Sasikala. He was replaced by Law Minister, C.Ve. Shanmugam.
The MPs said the public mood was in favour of Mr Panneerselvam and they have extended support to him to ensure that the AIADMK does not go into the hands of “one family.”
Ever since Mr Panneerselvam rebelled against AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala, the chief minister has been receiving support from legislators, MPs senior leaders and even ministers.
Though only school education minister ‘MaFoi’ K Pandiarajan has extended his support, the OPS camp claims several more cabinet colleagues of Mr Panneerselvam are waiting to join him.
Apart from the 11 MPs, Panneerselvam also enjoys the support of six AIADMK MLAs. Former MLAs Bader Sayeed, who is a classmate of late J Jayalalithaa, and Muthuselvi, also extended their support to the OPS camp. Actors and star campaigners — Ramarajan, Thiyagu and actor-director Arunpandian also joined the Panneerselvam camp.
