Chennai, July 31 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam, who has recently distanced himself from the NDA alliance, has fiercely criticized his former Cabinet associate, Kadambur C. Raju, for labeling late AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa's 1998 choice to withdraw support from the government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a “historical mistake”.

Panneerselvam, often known as OPS, emphasized that this decision was actually a “revolutionary” action that played a crucial role in AIADMK's overwhelming success in the 2001 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Representing the AIADMK Cadres' Rights Retrieval Committee, a group he established after his expulsion from the party, OPS demanded that Raju publicly apologize for his comments, threatening that he would “face the consequences” if he did not comply.

“His statements regarding Amma (Jayalalithaa) are comparable to kicking away the ladder. It was she who provided him with a political identity, made him an MLA, and even promoted him to the position of minister,” OPS stated in a strongly worded response.

OPS condemned Raju's remarks as “historical plunder”, accusing him of betraying the very leader who was instrumental in his political ascent.

Raju reportedly made his comment during a private meeting with BJP officials in Thoothukudi district on Wednesday.

While Raju later asserted that the media misrepresented his statement, OPS dismissed this explanation.

Recalling Jayalalithaa’s significant political actions, OPS referenced her famous rallying cry, “Modi or this lady?” during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, where the AIADMK secured 37 out of 39 seats in Tamil Nadu.

“Yet, Raju criticizes her for that very success. His actions reflect a betrayal of those who once supported him,” OPS remarked, referencing a Tamil proverb, ‘Unda veetukku renthagam’ (a betrayal of the house that fed you).

OPS also cautioned that if Raju fails to apologize, the people of Tamil Nadu will respond appropriately.

By targeting Raju, the former chief minister also seemed to express his ongoing dissatisfaction with the BJP.

Just days prior, OPS sharply criticized the BJP-led central government for withholding Rs 2,151 crore in Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds from Tamil Nadu, alleging the state’s non-compliance with the three-language policy.

With his recent remarks, OPS has both defended Jayalalithaa’s political legacy and reaffirmed his opposition to the BJP, demonstrating his resolve to remain influential in Tamil Nadu politics as the 2026 Assembly elections approach.