Ousted AIADMK leaders OPS, Dhinakaran unite to take on ‘enemy’ DMK and ‘betrayer’ EPS ahead of 2024 LS polls

The highly anticipated meeting of the two leaders took place at Dhinakaran’s residence. Addressing the media together after discussions that lasted a little over 30 minutes, the two leaders noted that it is time to forget the past and move forward as it is important to rescue the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) from the clutches of a few people who have no connection with the party’s fundamentals.

Meanwhile, OPS stated that he intends to meet V K Sasikala – former AIADMK leader and a close associate of party supremo the late J Jayalalithaa – affectionately referred to as “Chinnamma” by her supporters. Sasikala and Dhinakaran, who is her nephew, were expelled from the party in 2017 after the factions under OPS and EPS merged. Incidentally, Sasikala has also been meeting her supporters across the state and says she wants to rescue the AIADMK.

Dhinakaran, who heads the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), said the objective of the new alliance is to consolidate all AIADMK cadres. He accused the current AIADMK leadership of hijacking the organisation originally built by M G Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa.

The pair emphasised the alliance’s nature as a collaboration of “like-minded” individuals, highlighting their mutual “attachment and affection,” despite previous disagreements. Dhinakaran said he never harboured any animosity towards OPS as their association began way back in 1999. He said the two leaders have not joined hands for any selfish motives and their goal is to hand over the party to the hands of Jayalalithaa’s true cadres. “I can walk with Panneerselvam even in the dark, but the same cannot be said about Palaniswami,” he added.

When asked about the BJP’s role in this new development, Dhinakaran was dismissive, saying the BJP was a matter of concern for EPS, not them.

The meeting featured a mentor and mediator, Panruti S Ramachandran, a veteran Tamil politician from the MGR era known for orchestrating alliances and negotiating between parties.

While Dhinakaran reasserted that his AMMK is an “independent entity” not controlled by the BJP or any other party, Ramachandran, seated between Dhinakaran and OPS, repeatedly referred to the current AIADMK leadership as “anti-social elements” that need to be overcome to save the party.

“AMMK and OPS will have a working arrangement similar to that of the Left parties to rescue the AIADMK from anti-social elements. We are confident that we will succeed because we have the support of the majority of AIADMK cadres. Only a few are against us. It is their (cadres’) ambition that we should come together and it has now been fulfilled,” Ramachandran said.

Meanwhile, asked about his meeting with Chief Minister and DMK leader M K Stalin’s son-in-law Sabareesan during a cricket match at Chepauk a few days ago, OPS termed it a courtesy call and said nothing political was discussed.