OPS and Sengottaiyan Trade Charges in Chennai Over Party Switching and State Budget

Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Revenue Minister K A Sengottaiyan traded sharp allegations against each other in Chennai on Tuesday over switching political parties following discussions on the state budget. The debate began after Panneerselvam raised objections to the financial presentation made by Finance Minister N Marie Wilson, claiming that the state budget offered no new schemes for the public.

During the debate, Panneerselvam alleged that the state budget presented by Finance Minister Marie Wilson was devoid of fresh initiatives and was instead filled entirely with schemes already implemented by the DMK. He asserted that the people of the state were left disappointed with the overall budget announcements.

Hitting back at the former chief minister, Revenue Minister K A Sengottaiyan defended the financial statements and stated that the entire state appreciated the budget. Sengottaiyan remarked that just because Panneerselvam had switched over to the DMK, he did not need to heap lofty praises on the ruling party.

In his response to Sengottaiyan's criticism, Panneerselvam stated that it was actually Sengottaiyan who was the first to switch parties, having moved over to the TVK from the AIADMK.

The discussion drew comments from other Cabinet members as well. School Education Minister A Rajmohan intervened in the argument, pointing out that despite Sengottaiyan joining the TVK, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had asked him to keep the photograph of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Rajmohan contrasted this with Panneerselvam's actions, stating that Panneerselvam had changed both his political party and the photograph.

PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna also joined the exchange, arguing that while Sengottaiyan might have switched political sides, he still held Jayalalithaa close to his heart by retaining her photo. Arjuna further criticized Panneerselvam, stating that although Panneerselvam was made chief minister by Jayalalithaa, he had joined a political party that was historically against her.

Defending himself against the allegations made by the ministers, Panneerselvam stated that key leaders such as Periyar, as well as former chief ministers C N Annadurai, M Karunanidhi, M G Ramachandran, and J Jayalalithaa, were all held in his heart. He concluded by saying that he did not have to "cheat" others simply by displaying their photos.