Pannerselvam dubs reports of him joining BJP as rumours

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam Wednesday dismissed as rumours reports that he was going to quit the AIADMK and join the BJP, asserting he will continue in the ruling party in the state till his last breath.

Slamming a section of media for carrying the reports, he said people of Tamil Nadu who have faith on him as well as the party workers will not pay heed to such rumours.

Such reports were the result of "fear factor" among those who dreaded the AIADMK-led NDA's impending 'grand' victory in the Lok Sabha polls, the AIADMK coordinator said in a party statement.

"Those who fear the grand victory that this alliance (led by AIADMK) is going to achieve are spreading rumours and trying to hurt my public life which is regrettable," he said.

Panneerselvam recalled his humble origin as the son of a farmer and the various strides he had made in his political career and credited late chief minister J Jayalalithaa for his rise.

The AIADMK leader said he and his ...