Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Out of 5 in fray, whoever wins Ramanathapuram, it's going to be O Panneerselvam

TN Lok Sabha Elections 2024: A file photo of O Panneerselvam.

The Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency is gearing up for an intriguing battle between five namesakes, O Panneerselvam. Among them, former Tamil Nadu chief minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, known as OPS, filed his nomination as an Independent with the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Additionally, four other candidates with the same name and initial have also submitted their nomination papers.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE Updates: PM Modi will launch the BJP's Uttar Pradesh campaign from Meerut on March 30

Ex-CM's Crucial Bid in Tightly Fought Political Battle

What adds to the intrigue is the fact that OPS requested the allotment of any of the following free symbols: bucket, grapes, or jackfruit. Interestingly, two other candidates have also sought one of these symbols.

In what is shaping up to be a closely contested political battle in Tamil Nadu, this election holds significant importance for the former CM, marking his maiden Lok Sabha contest. For him, it's a do-or-die situation as he cannot afford to lose votes to the other Panneerselvams if he intends to maintain his political significance. Both the AIADMK and DMK have wasted no time in attributing involvement to each other, suggesting a classic strategy aimed at confusing voters.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP bets on fresh faces, drops 100 sitting MPs to reach 400-seat target

Officials Identify 4 Other Candidates Named O Panneerselvam

According to reports, officials have identified the four other candidates as follows: O. Panneerselvam, son of Ochappan from Mekilaarpuram in Madurai district; O. Panneerselvam, son of Oyyaram from Valantharavai in Ramanathapuram district; O. Panneerselvam, son of Ocha Thevar from Vagaikulam in Madurai district; and O. Panneerselvam, son of Oyya Thevar from Solai Alagupuram.

Distinction Aided by Photos and Symbols

The 74-year-old former chief minister is 'Ottakara Thevar Panneerselvam,' while the younger contestant is 'Ochappan Panneerselvam.' However, in the official list of candidates, only the letter 'O' will be prefixed to their names, following the standard practice. To help voters distinguish between them, photographs of the candidates and the individual symbols allocated to them will be provided.

Also Read | Telangana Phone Tapping Scandal: Prime accused ex-IB chief T Prabhakar Rao flees to America

Luck Seems to Elude the Original OPS

It appears that luck has not favoured the original OPS since the passing of Jayalalithaa in December 2016. Once considered her favoured protege, Jayalalithaa entrusted him with the role of caretaker CM on three occasions when she faced legal challenges.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Key parties, past results, constituencies and more

However, when he assumed the position of full-time CM following Jayalalithaa's demise, his decline was swift. One of the most consequential actions was his confrontation with Jayalalithaa's close aide, VK Sasikala, in early 2017, which resulted in a divided party and his defeat in a trust vote.

Pundits Assess Former CM's Future Amid Identity Crisis

Political analysts argue that the former CM is currently in a dicey situation where he must demonstrate his capabilities to establish his own identity or risk becoming irrelevant in state politics. His electoral fate in the Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency will determine his future relevance. OPS, who currently holds office as the representative of the Bodinayakkanur Assembly constituency in Theni district, has established the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhaga Cadres Right Retrieval Organisation to fend off his adversaries in state politics.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: What's behind BJP's strategy of fielding Annamalai from Tamil Nadu?

In his battle against AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, OPS and his supporters were expelled by a party general council in July 2022, a decision that has been upheld by the courts. Adding to his challenges, the Madras High Court recently prohibited him from using the party's symbol Two Leaves, official flag, and letterhead.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Polls: BJP is on alliance building spree, sign of nervousness or stepping up for Mission 400?

Experts Criticise OPS's Seat-Sharing Agreement

Experts have expressed the view that OPS agreed to an unfavorable deal during the seat-sharing agreement. He was allocated only one seat by the BJP, the same number allotted to smaller parties like the New Justice Party, Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi, Indhiya Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam, and Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam. These four parties are set to contest on the saffron party’s Lotus symbol in the upcoming April 19 Lok Sabha elections.

More significantly, the expelled AIADMK leader has faced criticism for securing only one seat from the BJP, especially when parties with minimal presence in the state, such as TTV Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and GK Vasan's Tamil Maanila Congress, were granted two and three seats, respectively.