Politics
OPS, EPS and Annamalai
This evening (21 January), both factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), i.e., the factions led by O Panneerselvam (OPS) and Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) went to Kamalalayam, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) state headquarters in order to discuss the Erode bypoll with BJP state president K Annamalai.
It is being seen by political commentators as an indication of the AIADMK’s acknowledgement of the rising popularity of the BJP and Annamalai.
OPS said that the meeting was cordial and reiterated what he had said earlier today (21 January), i.e., he wanted to field a candidate but would support the BJP if it decides to go it alone.
Meanwhile, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) led by Anbumani Ramadoss, has decided not to contest the elections. Ramadoss added that his party would also not extend its support to any candidate in the bypoll.
The PMK was an ally of the AIADMK and BJP during the 2021 Assembly elections.