Panneerselvam, who enjoys the support of 12 MLAs and 12 MPs, held discussions with his supporters and announced that it has been unanimously decided to extend their support to Kovind.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam-led AIADMK faction on Thursday announced its support to NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind, like its rival AIADMK (Amma) faction.
Panneerselvam, who enjoys the support of 12 MLAs and 12 MPs, held discussions with his supporters and announced that it has been unanimously decided to extend their support to Kovind. He said BJP National President Amit Shah spoke to him over the phone and sought his support. "Following this, we decided to extend support to Mr Kovind," he added.
Panneerselvam made the announcement a day after his rival Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami declared his faction's support to the NDA presidential candidate. After hosting an iftar party, which was boycotted by several MLAs loyal to party General Secretary VK Sasikala and her nephew and Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran, Palaniswami announced that his party's decision to support the NDA candidate in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's request over the phone.
Dinakaran, who was sidelined by the ruling camp in a bid to initiate the merger process with the rival faction to get back the AIADMK's 'two leaves' symbol frozen by the Election Commission after the split in the party, commands support of about 32 of the 122 MLAs, who had voted in favour of Palaniswami during the trust vote on February 18 in the State Assembly.
Dinakaran also has the support of three MPs and three MLAs from Puducherry. It was also not known whether the party's announcement to support Kovind has the backing of Dinakaran.
Mr Dinakaran held a meeting at his residence with the MLAs supporting him, which saw faces like actor Karunas turn up. Talking to reporters after meeting Dinakaran, Karunas termed it as a courtesy call and said his party would act as per the orders of Sasikala. Dinakaran too had earlier said that the party would act as per the decision of the general secretary, who is now lodged in a Bengaluru prison.
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