AIADMK AT CROSSROADS: DUO'S FATE MAY BE DECIDED TODAY

Supporters say OPS loyal to AIADMK; only fault is he allowed Palaniswami to seize control of party. AIADMK cadre at Edappadi confident in leadership of Palaniswami, say he'll take party to new heights. OPS supporter claims EPS camp coercing general council members into favouring Palaniswami

- JEYALAKSHMI RAMANUJAM & T MURUGANANDHAM

HIS critics may complain he's focused only on his family, but supporters of three-time chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) insist the Periyakulam native is loyal to the AIADMK and its 1.5 crore cadre. On the eve of a general council meeting that could decide his political fate, they claimed his only mistakes have been naivete and complacency, that allowed Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) to seize control of the party.

Born to Ottakaradevar and Palaniammal on January 14, 1951, at Thenkarai in Periyakulam, OPS completed his schooling at Victoria Memorial Government Higher Secondary School, before earning a BA degree from Haji Karutha Rowther Howdia College in Uthamapalayam.

He then looked after his father's farms, before venturing into dairy farming with friend Vijayan.

"An ardent admirer of MGR, he enrolled himself into AIADMK and, after gaining the trust of party orator Cumbum Selvendran, became Periyakulam Urban MGR Youth Wing Secretary in 1982 at the age of 31," his brother O Shanmuga Sundaram, 24th ward councillor in Periyakulam, said. "My brother is a loyal man. His loyalty was certified by Amma (J Jayalalithaa). She believed in my brother and appointed him interim CM twice," he said. 

Indeed, Panneerselvam was chosen interim CM by Jayalalithaa but on the advice of her aide VK Sasikala and clan. Panneerselvam was not always a Jaya loyalist.