Panneerselvam’s group changes its name with ‘Kazhagam’ replacing ‘committee’ in its title

The ADMK Workers’ Rights Retrieval Committee, headed by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, has been renamed as “All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Workers’ Rights Retrieval Kazhagam.

Since December 14, statements issued by Mr Panneerselvam’s group carry the new title.  The change, according to one group of functionaries, signals Mr Panneerselvam is going to launch a party. However, another group does not attach much significance, saying the change has been made as the word “Kazhagam” would be more appropriate, especially at the time of holding negotiations for seat allocation with any other political party. Also, this group says “it is not that simple to run an independent party.”

Nevertheless, the latest Kazhagam will hold its meeting of functionaries on December 23. There is an expectation among certain sections of Mr Panneerselvam’s followers that there will be an announcement about the launch of the new party on December 24, the death anniversary of the AIADMK’s founder and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. 

Meanwhile, on Monday morning, the AIADMK began issuing application forms to aspirants for the next year’s Assembly poll. The party headquarters in Royapettah saw the presence of a large number of members of the party  wanting to get the forms. Former Minister and the party’s organisation secretary, D. Jayakumar, reiterated it was for the party leadership to decide about taking back those who went out of the organisation.  He added that he intended to contest from his traditional constituency, Royapuram.