Section of them support Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam

Mixed reaction from AIADMK cadre

Even as celebrations in support of Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam poured in from different parts of the district on Wednesday, a group of AIADMK cadre burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister.

Protesting against the accusation made by him against the party general secretary V.K. Sasikala, protesters led by Raja Raja Cholan burnt the effigy near the MGR statue at Cantonment. They raised slogans against Mr. Panneerselvam. The police rushed to the spot and arrested 13 cadre. Similarly, 13 more persons were arrested in Srirangam for burning effigy.

However, all of them were released in the evening.

Meanwhile, celebrations erupted in different parts of the district in praise of Mr. Panneerselvam, who revolted against Ms. Sasikala. The AIADMK party men, who were supporting former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s niece J. Deepa, burst crackers in Srirangam, Woraiyur, Palakkarai and other places. They distributed sweets.

Similarly, Deepa supporters, who thronged main streets at Manaparai, Thuraiyur, Lalgudi, Samayapuram and other rural areas, expressed joy by bursting crackers.