Tamil Nadu BJP reacts sharply against DMK for inducting O. Panneerselvam

Hours after former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam joined the DMK, the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP reacted strongly to the ruling party’s induction of him.

In a post on social media, the State unit of the BJP shared a screenshot comparing Chief Minister MK Stalin’s post about X in 2018 with Friday’s post inviting Mr Panneerselvam to the party.

In his previous post in July 2018, when he was Leader of Opposition, Mr. Stalin welcomed the Madras High Court’s decision to expedite the disproportionate assets case against Mr. Panneerselvam, the then Deputy Chief Minister. He had also demanded that Mr. Panneerselvam resign from his post.

Senior BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said Mr. Stalin had claimed that the induction of leaders like Mr. Panneerselvam added to the DMK’s strength only reflected the extent of fear and desperation within the party.

According to him, Mr. Panneerselvam’s inclusion in the DMK would be a major setback to the party’s electoral prospects.