Chennai: Hammered by the Chinnamma loyalists for speaking up for ‘traitor’ O. Panneerselvam, AIADMK star speaker Nirmala Periyasamy on Tuesday walked out of the Sasikala faction to join the OPS camp. She said several more party functionaries, including ministers, were unhappy in the ruling camp and would soon cross over to the 'rebel' group.
“At the meeting of the party's star speakers in the AIADMK headquarters on Monday, I had merely appealed that we must not use harsh words to attack OPS annan. At once, C R Saraswathy and Gundu Kalyanam pounced on me accusing me of betraying Chinnamma by supporting her enemy. They said I had no place in the party if I nursed such feelings (towards OPS group). (Former minister) B. Valarmathi too flared up at me. I walked out of the meeting”, Nirmala Periyasamy told Deccan Chronicle.
Twenty four hours later, the former TV news anchor walked into OPS' house, which also doubles as his office, to join the 'rebels' and declare that “the day is not far when we will be the only AIADMK”.
“More than 90 per cent of the people there (Sasikala group) are unhappy and dejected. They will all come here (OPS camp) soon, one after another”, Nirmala Periyasamy said.
