O Panneerselvam, popularly known as OPS was one of the most trusted members of AIADMK during Amma’s regime. OPS held the post of the prestigious CM two times earlier in his career. He also held important positions like Finance Minister during J. Jayalalithaa’s tenure as CM.
After the demise of Jayalalithaa, he has been handling all the portfolio’s she once held. People still remember his tear stricken face and her picture in his pocket, during the swearing in ceremony after Amma’s demise.
We bring you some unknown facts about O. Panneerselvam:
1. The 65 year old was born in Priyakulam, Tamil Nadu and became a political worker at the age of 18 for DMK while he was still in college. He discontinued his studies after 12th standard for a political career. He then built his career step by step and now is the CM and a very important part of the TN politics.
2. After the then CM M.G. Ramachandran formed AIADMK separate from Karunanidhi-led DMK, OPS joined it immediately in 1973.
3. In 2001 he was elected as the MLA of Pariyakulam and 5 years before that he was elected as the Chairman. It was under Jayalalithaa during this time, for the first time in Indian politics an MLA was elected as the Revenue Minister of TN state.
4. He was elected as CM of Tamil Nadu first time on September 21, 2001, as J. Jayalalithaa was banned for TANSI land scam by the Supreme Court. Many criticised him for being a puppet in Amma’s hand which did not deter OPS from fulfilling his duties.
5. In 2002 March, he resigned from his post as the CM after Jayalalithaa was let free of the land scam and he then joined her cabinet as minister of public works, prohibition, and excise.
6. After the loss of AIADMK, Jayalalithaa decided not to attend the assembly. During this time, Panneerselvam worked as AIADMK legislative party leader and also as the leader of assembly for a fortnight. He handed over the charge to Amma after she decided to attend the assembly proceedings.
7. He functioned as Finance minister in her cabinet from 2011 to 2014 and was made chief minister for the second time in September 2014, he then returned the chair to her in May 2015 after she was acquitted in inappropriate assets case.
8. In 2016, Jayalalitha came to power again as the CM with Panneerselvam by her side as Finance Minister. This earned him the name of Jayalalithaa’s most trusted person in the Tamil Nadu people.
After Amma’s death he was made the CM a third time on December 6, 2016, however, he resigned on February 5 ‘under pressure’ from Sasikala Natarajan.
