Rival TN factions attend Kovind nomination event

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam today took part in the function here to mark the nomination of NDA's presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind, along with his rival Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami.
Talking to reporters, Panneerselvam said, "We attended the function as we were invited by the BJP for nomination event of Ram Nath Kovind".
The AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma faction led by Panneerselvam had yesterday extended support to Kovind, while AIADMK (Amma) camp had given its support on Wednesday.
"We had a meeting of our MLAs and MPs and considering the track record of Kovind, we arrived at the unanimous decision to support him ," Panneerselvam had said yesterday.

Speaking about the controversy within the party, he said the state government was in a disabled state and unable to solve issues of people.
"It is disturbing to witness the state government being ignorant, instead of working to improve the economy," Panneerselvam said.

He added, "though the government is in hands of the rival faction, the party is still in our control".
Chief Minister Palaniswami who also took part in the nominations returned without any interaction with media persons.
Reporters of Tamil media channels said they would boycott press interaction with the CM after they were denied entry into the new Tamil Nadu House yesterday due to "security issues".

However, according to sources in the Tamil Nadu House, security arrangements were restructured after a group of animal activists barged into the house breaching security a few days back.