AIADMK resolute on not returning, BJP moves on, opens channels with OPS and Dhinakaran

Ending its wait for a positive sign from former ally AIADMK, the BJP has reached out to rebel AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran. The move comes after AIADMK chief and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami reiterated on Friday that his party would not reunite with the BJP.

The statement and the BJP’s subsequent decision came as a relief for both Panneerselvam, popularly known as OPS, and Dhinakaran — once central to the AIADMK — who were eagerly waiting for the national party’s call as it provides them with an opportunity to find a way back from the margins of state politics and revive their political careers.

Reminding his party of its decision to leave the BJP-led NDA last September, Palaniswami on Friday said there was no change in its position. The former CM responded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comment in an interview to a Tamil daily in February that the BJP’s doors were still open for the AIADMK, saying, “We can’t help if they keep their doors open. I can only speak for my party.”

After this outright rejection, the BJP leadership decided to end its outreach to the AIADMK, conducted through different individuals, sources said. “The party now firmly aims to strengthen the NDA alliance in Tamil Nadu without the AIADMK. The BJP has reached out to OPS and TTV, acknowledging their interest in joining us,” said an RSS leader, adding that fresh talks had been initiated on Friday afternoon.

For the past several days, OPS has been in his hometown Theni. Sources close to the former Deputy CM said he had become politically active again after it became apparent that the AIADMK would not return to the NDA. “He was disheartened by the BJP’s hesitation in making him an offer while making repeated attempts