No invite for OPS to Chennai corporation event – Times of India

Chennai News

CHENNAI: A day after he skipped chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s review meeting at the Secretariat, deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam did not get an invite to a government event organised by municipal administration minister S P Velumani, a close confidante of the CM, on Wednesday morning. Panneerselvam, however, chaired a meeting of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, a portfolio held by him, in Egmore at noon. Close associates on both sides said “talks were progressing well”. Minister D Jayakumar said “the party was united and the CM candidate would be announced at an appropriate time”.
Close aides said the deputy CM did not receive an invite from the minister or the department concerned for the launch of Chennai Corporation’s solid waste management programme at Island Grounds, where the CM flagged off conservancy vehicles. The civic body’s invite to the media, however, had the names of local ministers D Jayakumar and P Benjamin. Jayakumar was dismissive. “It was a small event,” he told TOI. Incidentally, the event organisers addressed the CM as “Aathimukavin Olivilakke” (shining lamp of the AIADMK).
On Tuesday, the deputy chief minister had asked his staff to remove the national flag from his official vehicle and a short while later asked for it to be put back. He is also planning to take a trip to Theni, his native town, soon, sources said.
OPS, on Wednesday, held discussions with his supporters and senior leaders, K P Munusamy, Natham R Viswanathan and P H Manoj Pandian for the second day. There were a series of meetings of the ministers and leaders with OPS and EPS separately on Tuesday, a day after the AIADMK’s executive committee failed to arrive at a consensus on the CM candidate for the assembly election and deferred an announcement to October 7. “OPS is really hurt about the latest developments. He feels the EPS camp failed to honour the promises made to him. Talks are progressing well on both sides, and the OPS faction is optimistic,” said a senior leader. OPS supporters demand that the steering committee, with adequate participation from his camp, be constituted first, for a stronger grip of the AIADMK, while EPS and his coterie take control of the government reins.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/no-invite-for-ops-to-chennai-corporation-event/articleshow/78420281.cms