AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Sunday said that senior leaders in BJP should pacify former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam over his quitting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and bring him back into the alliance. He said Mr. Panneerselvam’s reply to a query on the possibility of joining the DMK, could have been out of anger.
During an interaction with reporters in Chennai, Mr. Dhinakaran said: “I personally regret Anna’s [O. Panneerselvam] decision. It is unfortunate that he has taken this decision to leave the National Democratic Alliance. I feel that he should not have been forced into taking this decision.” He was interacting with reporters after paying floral tributes to a portrait of late freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai on the occasion of his death anniversary on Sunday.
When asked about the reason that forced Mr. Panneerselvam into quitting the NDA, Mr. Dhinakaran said: “The entire world knows who was the reason. There is no need to analyse it. I think BJP leaders in Delhi should call and pacify him [Mr. Panneerselvam] and bring him back into the alliance.”
To a query on Mr. Panneerselvam’s reported observations that BJP state unit president Nainar Nagenthran discouraged his meeting the Prime Minister, Mr. Dhinakaran said: “Annan Panneerselvam has left the alliance with a heavy heart. All of us are aware of his woes. The BJP leaders in Delhi should invite him for talks and bring him back into the alliance.”
Asked if Mr. Dhinakaran would take up the initiative to reach out to Mr. Panneerselvam, the AMMK founder said: “I have been in talks with him continuously. And I have been talking to leaders in Delhi about this.” When asked if there was any crisis for him like Mr. Panneerselvam, Mr. Dhinakaran recalled the turbulent times he underwent following the passing of former CM Jayalalithaa.
When asked about Mr. Panneerselvam’s reported response to a query if he would ally with the DMK, which was termed as an “evil force” by late leader Jayalalithaa, Mr. Dhinakaran said: “I think he has made such comments in anger. He became Chief Minister thrice with a political party. I don’t think he would take such a decision.”
Mr. Dhinakaran also rejected speculation over Mr. Panneerselvam visiting Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin at the latter’s residence in Chennai. He said both Mr. Staln and Mr. Panneerselvam have clarified that the meeting was to enquire about the CM’s health.
Asked about Mr. Panneerselvam’s observations against the BJP, Mr. Dhinakaran said that Mr. Panneerselvam was in ties with the BJP over the past seven years, whereas he joined the NDA only a year ago.
“We are friends. And on a few occasions, he has expressed his disappointments with me. Even the day before he quit the NDA, I spoke to him on various subjects. Even I was shocked over his decision [to quit the NDA]. He should reconsider his decision. It was due to the efforts of Amit Shah avargal, our alliance is becoming strong.”
Published – August 03, 2025 11:58 pm IST
