AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran on Tuesday called on BJP leaders in Delhi to engage in talks with O Panneerselvam, the chief coordinator of the AIADMK Cadres’ Rights Retrieval Committee, to bring him back into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Dhinakaran confirmed that, so far, there had been no communication from the BJP to Panneerselvam but expressed confidence that the former Chief Minister would return to the alliance. He also dismissed rumors about Panneerselvam refusing to meet BJP leader B L Santosh during Santosh’s recent visit to Chennai.
“To my knowledge, no BJP leaders have contacted him yet. I hope BJP leaders in Delhi will reach out to him to bring him back to our alliance,” Dhinakaran said, adding, “I am very confident he will reunite with the NDA.”
Panneerselvam had announced his exit from the NDA on July 31, citing a cold reception from the BJP. The AMMK had joined the NDA ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, aiming to defeat the DMK, but the alliance did not achieve the desired results. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is reportedly working to strengthen the coalition, with hopes of positive outcomes by December this year.
Responding to Chief Minister MK Stalin’s statement that AIADMK’s defeat in the 2026 polls would start from the western belt, Dhinakaran said the people of Tamil Nadu would give their verdict by May 2026.
On a controversial remark by VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan accusing late AIADMK leaders M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa of paving the way for Brahminism in the Dravidian movement, Dhinakaran said the comment showed confusion and warned Thirumavalavan against making statements that could hurt the legacy of charismatic leaders who transcended caste and religion. He cautioned such remarks could have negative electoral consequences in the future.