O. Panneerselvam Critiques EPS's Leadership Amid Election Promises

In a recent press conference, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam criticized Edappadi Palaniswami's leadership, claiming he lacks the qualities of an influential leader. Panneerselvam emphasized the need for accountability regarding past election promises made by Palaniswami. He also highlighted the DMK's long-standing commitment to women's rights, countering claims made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This discourse sheds light on the political dynamics in Tamil Nadu as the state approaches the upcoming elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 25, 2026, 19:18 IST

Panneerselvam's Criticism of EPS

Former Chief Minister and DMK leader O. Panneerselvam has launched a critique against the opposition, specifically targeting Edappadi Palaniswami. He stated that Palaniswami lacks charisma and is not an influential leader. Since 2017, he has faced defeat in ten elections leading up to the 2024 parliamentary elections. A true strong leader should be capable of guiding their party to victory in subsequent elections, even after experiencing losses in assembly or parliamentary contests. By this standard, Palaniswami does not qualify as an influential leader, especially considering his continuous tenure despite ten electoral defeats.

Election Manifesto Under Scrutiny

Panneerselvam expressed his intention to meet with the press to inform the public that the election manifesto released by Edappadi Palaniswami today is misleading. He emphasized the need to investigate whether Palaniswami has fulfilled the promises made in the past. The DMK responded to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's comments in the Lok Sabha, asserting that Tamil Nadu and its prominent leaders have consistently advocated for women's rights.

Discussion on Women's Rights

DMK MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy participated in the discussion regarding the 'Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025' in the house, stating that Tamil Nadu has always championed women's rights. He pointed out that figures like Periyar, Karunanidhi, and the current Chief Minister Stalin have all been proponents of women's empowerment. This should be made clear. Earlier, Finance Minister Sitharaman referenced Chief Minister MK Stalin's remarks during the discussion on the Finance Bill, 2026, claiming that the DMK government is against women and that this time, they will not receive support from women.