OPS faction MLA wants to switch over to Amma faction of AIADMK

VC Arukutty was the first legislator to support O Panneerselvam when the AIADMK was splintering after J Jayalalithaa’s death.

Rebel AIADMK legislator VC Arukutty, among the first to switch over to the O Panneerselvam camp, on Friday expressed displeasure at the way he was being treated and indicated he may go back to the AIADMK (Amma) faction.

Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami and other cabinet ministers pay homage to late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa at her memorial following the end of Assembly Session in Chennai on July 19, 2017. (PTI File Photo)

Arukutty was the first MLA, representing Koundampalayam constituency in Coimbatore, to come out openly in support of Paneerselvam when most MLAs in the district were camping in the Koovathur resort.

His sudden outburst came after he was not invited for a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday to erect a pandal for a function, where rebel AIADMK leader O Paneerselvam is expected to meet his supporters in two days.

Talking to reporters, Arukutty said he had boycotted the ceremony since he was not invited for the function.

Moreover, of late he was not being taken into confidence by the party and as such there was no point in continuing in such a situation, he said.

Stating that he has not taken any decision to quit the faction,Arukutty said he would take a final call after talking to voters in his constituency, numbering over four lakh.