Ex-TN CM Panneerselvam Exits NDA, Alliance Decision Pending

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam's faction, AIADMK Cadres Rights Retrieval Committee, on Thursday snapped ties with the BJP-led NDA.

The decision was announced by veteran leader and advisor to the Committee, Panruti S Ramachandran.

Ramachandran, surrounded by Panneerselvam and other panel leaders, said, "Hereafter the Committee will not be a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)," according to PTI news agency.

He further said that Panneerselvam would be touring several parts of Tamil Nadu on behalf of the committee. He added that the faction will take a decision on the question of alliance in the future depending on the circumstances.

The decision came days after OPS condemned the BJP-led Centre for withholding funds of up to ₹2,151 crore from Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. He alleged that the funds were being held due to the state government's refusal to allow the three-language formula mandated by the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.

He said that this was against the Right to Education (RTE) Act and “the principle of federalism”. …The Central Government’s approach has created a pathetic situation where 25% of students cannot be enrolled in private schools under the RTE…” he added.