Tamil Nadu: OPS Meets TTV Dhinakaran In Chennai; To Meet Sasikala Soon

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister, O Panneerselvam (OPS), met TTV Dhinkaran, the general secretary of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), at his residence in Chennai.

The AMMK was formed after the expulsion of Dhinakaran and his aunt, VK Sasikala from the AIADMK.

After the meeting, Dhinakaran and Panneerselvam said that they have decided to come together as allies to take on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) who had 'betrayed' the party and the ideals of MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalitha.

Panruti Ramachandran, a leader of the OPS faction said that their cooperation would be like that of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)- CPI(M).

When asked about whether they would meet VK Sasikala (Dhinakaran's aunt), they said that they would do so once she returns to Chennai.

According to political commentators, the move is seen as a means to consolidate the vote of the Thevar community in favour of the grouping.

Both OPS and Dhinkaran belong to the Thevar community, which has a significant vote share in southern Tamil Nadu.

The EPS faction is also aiming to consolidate its strength in the southern districts and has announced a conference in Madurai on 20 August.

The reunion with Sasikala and Dhinakaran comes six years after OPS rebelled against her in what he called the 'Dharma Yudham.'