CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) has admitted that he did meet ousted AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran last year, but denied allegations claiming he had tried to have another meeting in the last week of September in an effort to wrest power from Chief Minister E Palaniswami. OPS held a press conference in response to the allegations Dinakaran made last week, and said that he met the ousted AIADMK leader without informing his colleagues in July last year at the request of a mutual friend.
He said, “I thought he had repented but he had not. He only wanted to become the chief minister while I fought to free the party from the clutches of VK Sasikala's family.” OPS had launched a “Dharma Yudham” (Holy War) against Sasikala and rest of her family after the death of J Jayalalithaa. Dinakaran had alleged that the deputy CM had reached out to him through the same mutual friend to bring down the Tamil Nadu government. Responding to the statement, OPS said, “I would never indulge in such cheap tactics to become chief minister. I did not try to meet him. I'm the deputy chief minister, why would I topple the government? I never imagined Dinakaran would be so cheap.”
Dinakaran meanwhile, claims that the meeting held in July last year was also OPS' initiative. He said, “In July last year, OPS wanted to meet me. In the meeting, he expressed regret for his campaign against Sasikala's family and wanted to join hands. The meeting lasted about 15-20 minutes.” He accused the leader of “playing a double game”, and added, “He wants to join us, but at the same he attacks us on stage. It appears he wants to become the chief minister. That's why he's running here and there.” Dinakaran claimed that OPS met him “with an intention” to collaborate.
“In the meeting OPS expressed regret for his dharma yudham against us. My party functionaries knew about the meeting. Even last week he sent out word for a meeting. He wanted to join hands against EPS (Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami) and offered to make me the chief minister.” Another expelled leader had said, “The meeting took place at a builder's home to unseat EPS. Even last week OPS had contacted the same builder to arrange a meeting with Dinakaran.”
