OPS vs VKS: Fight intensifies as Jaya TV remains oblivious to Panneerselvam

The past twelve hours have been very politically dramatic in Tamil Nadu. A day after Apollo Hospital in Chennai dispelled rumours surrounding former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s death, her ‘caretaker’ CM O Panneerselvam’s (OPS) revelations have caused a tremor in the Sasikala camp. Consequently, Sasikala has fired OPS as the treasurer of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AIADMK). The chances of the the swearing-in ceremony, frequently postponed as they have been, seem even bleaker.

At a time when the national media has shifted focus from election coverage to the infighting in the AIADMK, a certain faction in the media completely ignored OPS addressing the press outside the MGR Memorial, where former chief minister J Jayalalithaa was buried.

Incidentally, Jaya TV, whose reporter was present at the venue seemed to have chosen to be oblivious to what was going on.

Add to that, this morning, OPS addressed the media from his house, and yet Jaya TV continued to air sound bytes from MLAs in Sasikala’s camp who were hitting out at OPS and chanting “Dhrohi Pannerselvam” on air.

Many hit out at Jaya TV’s decision to ignore OPS on social media, accusing the channel of being a mouthpiece of Sasikala and the MLAs supporting her.

But others chose to mock the channel for its selective censorship.

In a fresh revolt against Sasikala, OPS has established an enquiry commission under a retired high court judge to look into the circumstances leading to Amma’s death. Moreover, he has support from Amma’s niece Deepa Jayakumar who will announce her political debut on February 24- Amma’s birthday.