Tamil Nadu’s Thevar community favors alliance between OPS, Sasikala

Chennai, (IANS) | Tamil Nadu’s powerful Thevar community ousted coordinator of the AIADMK and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) and former interim general secretary of the party V.K. Sasikala is in favor of an alliance. Both OPS and Sasikala belong to the community.

The AIADMK’s lone MP from Tamil Nadu, O.P. Ravindranathan, who is also the son of Ops. South Tamil Nadu is dominated by the Thevar community and has been the traditional vote bank of the AIADMK in the state.

Sources in Thevar community told IANS that community elders have met Sasikala and the OPS twice separately since February 2023 and a joint meeting was held in March. Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary and Sasikala’s nephew T.T.V. Dinakaran was also involved in these meetings.

Let us tell you, in the 2021 assembly elections, AMMK candidates secured more than 6 percent votes in South Tamil Nadu, causing a crushing defeat to many AIADMK candidates.

On the other hand, With the fight between Palaniswami (EPS) and OPS reaching no conclusion, elders of the Thevar community are trying to work for OPS.

Speaking to IANS, social scientist and expert on Thevar community Dr Senthamil Viswanathan said, Thevars are a powerful community and they have been the traditional vote bank for the AIADMK. There is a general feeling in the community that two of their tallest leaders, OPS and V.K. Sasikala has been sidelined. This has given rise to a vendetta and it remains to be seen where it will end. One thing is certain that the community cannot be cowed down.

The chances of friendship between EPS and OPS are slim and EPS are from Gounder caste. With the OPS leaving the AMMK, the chances of the alliance joining the NDA are strong and could be beneficial for the saffron party as well as the AIADMK.

With barely a year left for the 2024 general elections, political parties are busy chalking out strategies and formulations to win the elections.

–IANS