Is Panneerselvam Supporting AIADMK Unity with Dhinakaran and Sengottaiyan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Panneerselvam supports unification within the AIADMK.
- He has no demands for rejoining the party.
- Political dynamics are shifting as elections approach.
- There are ongoing court cases related to leadership disputes.
- Unity is essential to uphold the party's foundational principles.
Chennai, Sep 10 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam expressed his support for TTV Dhinakaran, leader of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), and senior AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan on Wednesday, clarifying that he holds no particular demands for a return to the AIADMK.
While addressing the media in Madurai, Panneerselvam stated that he warmly endorses all initiatives aimed at unifying the AIADMK, assuring his full cooperation. He emphasized, “A unified front is essential to uphold the principles established by our party founder M.G. Ramachandran and the late leader J. Jayalalithaa.”
Panneerselvam’s comments were made in the context of Sengottaiyan, who was recently relieved of his party duties after proposing a 10-day deadline for reinstating expelled members to fortify the AIADMK. He expressed confidence in Sengottaiyan’s position, stating, “My best wishes, let his demands succeed.”
Responding to Dhinakaran’s recent remarks about considering an alliance with the NDA, provided Edappadi K. Palaniswami is not the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, Panneerselvam called it a “good opinion.” He philosophically stated, “Politics knows no friends or enemies. The future is unpredictable.”
When inquired if he would accept Palaniswami as the CM candidate upon rejoining the AIADMK, Panneerselvam indicated that various matters still required dialogue. He noted that six cases concerning the AIADMK leadership conflict remain unresolved in court, which he referred to as the “foundation of our Dharma yudham.” He expressed optimism that political shifts would occur as elections approach. Addressing speculation about the BJP's intentions to divide the AIADMK, he dismissed such claims, stating he had not received any communication from the BJP’s senior leaders in Delhi, unlike Sengottaiyan, who recently met Union Ministers Amit Shah and Nirmala Sitharaman to discuss AIADMK’s unification.
Panneerselvam, who was once a close confidant of Jayalalithaa and along with VK Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran faced expulsion from the AIADMK amid the leadership conflict with Palaniswami, shows a willingness for reconciliation without imposing conditions for his return.