In the last two months as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam has shown himself as a hard worker, and one who is totally devoted to the party and the state. Be it in the Jallikattu episode or getting Krishna water from AP or during cyclonic storm Vardah, Panneerselvam has proven that he’s a man of commitment who strives hard for the people of Tamil Nadu.
In the issue of Supreme Court’s ban on Jallikattu where he had gone extra mile, went to Delhi, lobbied with PM Modi and consulted several legal experts and finally got Centre’s nod for the ordinance.
He visited Andhra Pradesh, met CM Chandrababu Naidu and convinced him to get Krishna river water to Tamil Nadu and once again proved his loyalty to the people of TN.
This isn’t all. His timely and swift measures taken during cyclonic storm Vardah has won appreciation.
But his resignation to the CM post paving way to Sasikala’s elevation to the CM has shocked one and all. It invited flak from many. Social media vented out anger against Panneerselvam as well. He’s accused and alleged by many as “spine-less” leader on social platforms. Few even went to the extent of calling his initial “O” as zero and dubbed him as ‘Zero Panneerselvam’.
This is all passe now. His latest speech on Tuesday night at Jayalalithaa’s burial site in MGR memorial has changed everything. Twenty minutes is all it takes to win hearts. O Panneerselvam is now revered as the new hero, new savior of Tamil Nadu. His late night declaration gave him a new mass appeal and made him “Hero”.
Thus ‘Zero Panneerselvam’ turned into ‘Hero Panneerselvam’.