OPS quits NDA: Repeated insults from BJP left O Panneerselvam isolated; exit from NDA marks a turning point in his political journey

CHENNAI: Ottakarathevar Panneerselvam has seen the most unexpected of highs and lows in politics, from being made chief minister in September 2001 to becoming a persona non grata within AIADMK in July 2022, but he never snapped ties on his own.

But when his self-respect was trampled upon, OPS decided to sever his nine-year alliance with NDA on Thursday.The decision came at the end of a 90-minute meeting in a hotel in Alwarpet. The attendees included three MLAs, an MP and OPS's two sons. Insiders said despite several supporters requesting him to stay put with NDA till Election Commission decided on the 'two leaves' symbol dispute, OPS was clear that he has reached a breaking point. "He said he had been bearing insults from the BJP camp for a long time. He cited how he was made to wait outside Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Delhi residence in 2018. He also mentioned how Union minister Amit Shah refused him appointments during his Chennai visits," said a close associate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's refusal to meet him during his recent visit to Tamil Nadu was the last straw.

"He (OPS) told us that his letter seeking permission from Modi to receive and see him off at Tuticorin airport was drafted by someone close to the BJP camp, and he just signed it," said an OPS aide.

By visiting chief minister M K Stalin just hours after his exit from NDA has sent out the message that OPS is keeping his options open. "History shows there are no friends or enemies in politics. Anything can happen when elections approach," OPS told reporters after visiting Stalin. Sources said OPS has been considering the idea of having a tie-up with Vijay for two reasons: One, his supporters prefer it; two, it may check an AIADMK-TVK alliance. OPS plans to tour the southern districts to strengthen his thevar base. "Our priority is not power," said an associate. "We have to first survive and stay relevant." For this, he may well play the fall guy.