Chennai, March 18 Aspirants for election tickets in the DMK, who attended a formal selection interview being conducted by the party at its headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, on Wednesday, were surprised to see a fellow contestant: Former chief minister O Panneerselvam, who was considered an unlikely candidate even months ago.
The interview panel was headed by Chief Minister and DMK chief M K Stalin.
Three-time chief minister Panneerselvam was expelled from the AIADMK and was unsuccessfully attempting to unite AIADMK factions and rejoin the party himself, before making a surprise decision in February to join the DMK, AIADMK's arch-rival.
In 2021, Panneerselvam contested as an AIADMK candidate and was elected from the Bodinayakkanur constituency in Theni district.
On Wednesday, as various ticket aspirants participated in the interview led by Stalin, Panneerselvam and his son also participated in the exercise.
The interview panel included senior leaders Durai Murugan, T R Baalu, and R S Bharathi.