OPS (File photo)
CHENNAI: Former chief minister O Panneerselvam met Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday night to discuss the political situation in Tamil Nadu, months after breaking with the NDA over what he called a lack of backing from BJP’s state unit.“I paid a courtesy visit to Union minister Amit Shah. I spoke about the prevailing political situation in Tamil Nadu,” Panneerselvam, known as OPS, told reporters after the 20-minute meeting. The outreach came days after OPS issued a Dec 15 deadline to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, demanding a “course correction” within the party. Palaniswami declined comments on OPS’s visit.The ousted AIADMK coordinator renewed his push for unification of rival AIADMK factions and took aim at the Palaniswami-led party’s electoral performance after the death of former CM J Jayalalithaa, pointing to a string of defeats.OPS travelled to Delhi following an invitation from BJP netas. A BJP neta said OPS was asked to stay back in the capital Wednesday. “The situation is very fluid, more on the positive side,” the functionary said.On rain relief work in the state, OPS said the DMK govt was showing slackness.
