Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Elections 2024: How ‘exiled’ O Panneerselvam eyes political comeback via Lanka fishing ops
The BJP president, adorned with a scarf bearing the jackfruit symbol of former chief minister O Panneerselvam, led the charge in support of the Independent candidate contesting from the Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency.
The fervent crowd echoed with calls for Modi as Nadda’s roadshow swept through the constituency, slated for polls on Friday.
“Vendum Modi, meendum Modi (We want Modi, once again Modi),” the crowd chanted.
Panneerselvam’s election fight
For Panneerselvam, a member of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly, the electoral battle is not just a matter of prestige; it is a showdown against his former party, the AIADMK, and its leader Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Panneerselvam had previously taken on the responsibilities of former AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa on two occasions, stepping in when she faced disqualification or imprisonment in corruption cases. He also briefly served as Chief Minister following her demise.
Panneerselvam’s pitch
Hindered by court restrictions preventing the use of the AIADMK flag, Panneerselvam prominently showcases large portraits of Jayalalithaa on his campaign vehicle. TTV Dhinakaran, the nephew of Jayalalithaa confidante VK Sasikala, has offered the support of his party, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), to Panneerselvam. However, BJP president JP Nadda acknowledges that Panneerselvam cannot rely solely on his past accomplishments to secure victory. At a rally, Nadda said, “This is not just an election for Panneerselvam ji.” “It’s also to make India a developed country in 2047.”
Expressing gratitude towards Modi, Panneerselvam emphasised the Prime Minister’s leadership in fostering unity across diverse states, languages, and cultures.
Panneerselvam’s bumpy road
OPS is also confronted with the challenge of dummy candidates, with at least four other individuals using the name Panneerselvam in the election. Additionally, the fact that the NDA candidate lacks a widely recognized symbol has further compounded his difficulties.
Who holds the cards: Demographics and voting patterns
Spread across three districts — Pudukkottai, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram, the seat comprises six assembly segments (Aranthangi, Tiruchuli, Paramakudi (reserved), Tiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram and Mudukulathur) which are all represented by either DMK or Congress. Mukkulathors (30%), Dalits (25%) and Muslims (17%), besides Thevars, remain the influential groups here.
Panneerselvam, belonging to the Mukkulathor community, seeks to garner support from Dalits who have aligned with the BJP following Modi’s recognition of them as Devendrakula Vellalars in 2021. Yet, he faces stiff competition from the incumbent IUML MP K Navas Kani, who enjoys widespread support among Muslims and Christians.
Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha Elections 2024
| Party | Candidate |
| IUML | Kani K. Navas |
| NTK | Chandraprabha |
| AIADMK | P. Jeyperumal |
| Independent | O. Panneerselvam |
| Independent | K. Senthil Mallar |
The fishermen’s plight
In a bid to appeal to the fishing community, the BJP has reignited interest in the Katchatheevu dispute, a longstanding issue between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. The plight of Ramanathapuram’s fisherfolk, caught in the crossfire of naval conflicts, remains a pressing concern.
AIADMK vs. DMK vs. BJP
While the DMK dismisses Katchatheevu as a non-issue, the AIADMK candidate P Jeyaperumal relies on the party’s ‘two leaves symbol’ and the tide of perceived anti-incumbency against the state and central governments. However, AIADMK faces backlash from the Mukkulathor community for its handling of caste-based reservations.
Source link
