AIADMK Workers’ Rights Retrieval Committee coordinator O. Panneerselvam has called a meeting of his supporters in Chennai on December 23 to discuss his future political strategy. The meeting comes at a time when fresh political speculation surrounds his next move.The development gains importance amid reports that the BJP has reached out to Panneerselvam with an invitation to join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). While there is talk of efforts to bring him back into the NDA fold, sources close to Panneerselvam say he continues to prefer a return to the AIADMK and is working towards that goal.
Following his expulsion from the AIADMK, Panneerselvam has been functioning independently through the AIADMK Workers’ Rights Retrieval Committee. He has repeatedly said that his aim is to see the party reunified and has insisted that he is not seeking any personal position or concession to rejoin. However, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has remained firm, stating that Panneerselvam, whom he accuses of acting against party interests, will not be readmitted.
At a meeting held in Chennai on November 24, Panneerselvam had said the party’s general council, scheduled for December 10, should decide on his return. He had added that if no decision was taken, he would reveal his next political step on December 15, triggering speculation about the possibility of a new party.
He later clarified that he had no plans to float a new political outfit and said his remarks had been misunderstood. Even so, reports suggested that he would make a key announcement on December 15. That plan has since been dropped.
Instead, Panneerselvam has now fixed December 23 for consultations with his supporters. Sources said the meeting is likely to focus on whether he should persist with efforts to re-enter the AIADMK or consider other political paths.