OPS Admits Meeting TTV in 2017, but Denies Plot to Overthrow EPS

“After we merged with the EPS faction, there has been no contact with TTV,” OPS said to the media.

At the press conference, O Panneerselvam stated that he does not have any chief ministerial ambitions.

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

Hours after rebel AMMK MLA TTV Dhinakaran labelled Tamil Nadu deputy CM a ‘double-faced’ politician,  who wanted to join the Sasikala faction, O Panneerselvam told the media this is all a “plot” by TTV Dhinakaran to create confusion. Rejecting TTV's allegations, O Panneerselvam said that he had no plans of becoming the chief minister.

TTV thinks that he can create confusion between Edapadi Palaniswami and me. After we merged with the EPS faction, there has been no contact with TTV. This is all a plot by TTV to create confusion.

O Panneerselvam, Deputy Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu

TTV Dhinakaran had alleged that O Panneerselvam had met him in July 2017, proposing a plan to oust Edapadi Palaniswami. The meeting had been arranged by a common friend, TTV alleged.

At the press conference, OPS did not deny the meeting but claimed that he did not meet to hatch a plan against Edapadi Palaniswami.

“I am continuing my dharmayudham to keep Sasikala’s family out from both the party and the government. I met him (TTV Dhinakaran) only after our common friend arranged a meeting. I thought he might have changed but he is continuing with low-level politics. That friend who had arranged the meeting apologised to me saying that it was the biggest mistake of his life,” Panneerselvam added.

Suspended AIADMK MLA Thangatamil Selvan had earlier stated that O Panneerselvam had met with TTV Dhinkaran last year, ahead of his merger with the EPS faction.

But minister Thangamani denied this allegation almost immediately and said that TTV Dhinakaran was attempting to stir controversy ahead of the bypolls in Thirupurakundram and Tiruvarur. He further claimed that it was TTV who tried to initiate merger talks with the AIADMK and was angry because this was not fruitful.

Responding to Thangamani's claim, TTV Dhinakaran launched a tirade on Friday, 5 October, alleging that OPS was hungry for power.

"Last year, a few days after I came out of Tihar jail (3 June), our brother 'amaidhippadai' (silent army) Panneerselvam wanted to meet me and sent this message through a mutual close friend. I consulted with our MLAs about this interest expressed by OPS for a meeting. I didn't want to meet him, but after my men told me to go, I obliged and met him," revealed TTV Dhinakaran.

"In that meeting, OPS told me that he had committed a mistake and that whatever he spoke before was wrong. He said that he jumped the gun and also told me that he will consult with his men and join with us to oppose Edappadi. I also agreed to that. This happened on 12 July 2017," he added.

(Published in an arrangement with The News Minute)