N.S. Saravanan was the Thanjavur city secretary of the AIADMK. After the Assembly election, he was removed from the post of city secretary due to certain issues that arose within the party.
It was widely said that N.S. Saravanan would be the candidate for the Thanjavur constituency in the last Assembly election, but at the last minute it was allotted to the BJP in the alliance. Earlier, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami is said to have assured Saravanan, a few months before the election, “You are the candidate for the Thanjavur constituency. Start working on the election.”
Saravanan also began election work. He distributed hot boxes to every house without fail. The DMK side said that if Saravanan stood, it would be a flop. In such a situation, Saravanan did not get a ticket either.
“My father was a staunch AIADMK loyalist. He held both M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa close to his heart and raised me in that same way. Even when a few people caused him setbacks within the party, the party has always been important to me,” Saravanan said.
Without showing his disappointment at not getting a seat, he worked for BJP candidate Karuppu Muruganandam. In this situation, DMK candidate San. Ramanathan, who contested in the Thanjavur constituency, suffered defeat. Vijay Saravanan, who had followed Vijay as a fan for more than 30 years and had been active in people’s movement work, won and became the MLA for the Thanjavur constituency.
In this situation, after the election, a dispute arose within the AIADMK regarding forming the government and extending support. At that time, the posts of AIADMK functionaries in the C.V. Shanmugam and Velumani camps were stripped away. Saravanan’s post was also taken away in this. Later, TVK formed the government and Vijay became the Chief Minister.
Saravanan had been keeping a low profile and staying quiet at AIADMK events. In such a situation, he joined TVK in the presence of Minister N. Anand. Following him, many of his supporters are also said to be joining the party. Saravanan’s entry into TVK has become a talking point in Thanjavur political circles.
We spoke to several people familiar with the details of this. “When the single-leadership issue arose in the AIADMK, Vaithilingam, who was called the Chola Mandala commander, rose up against Edappadi Palaniswami. It was at that very time that Saravanan became the first person to switch sides and support Edappadi.
Following him, many others in Vaithilingam’s camp also moved to the Edappadi faction. Whenever Edappadi came to Thanjavur, he spent heavily to give him a grand welcome. Noticing Saravanan’s meticulous work and loyalty, Edappadi made Saravanan the city secretary.
It had been widely talked about from then on that the seat in the Thanjavur constituency would go to Saravanan. Some people who did not want Saravanan to rise were clear that he should not get the seat. Saravanan, who was in Edappadi’s good books, went beyond that and got Edappadi to say that the seat was his, and they also began their work.
The opposing side, having caught on, pointed out that Saravanan was a supporter of Velumani. Edappadi Palaniswami, who was already suspicious of Velumani, also washed his hands of Saravanan. “You were the one who told me to handle the election work, brother; if I don’t get a seat now, how can I show my face outside?” he is said to have asked. Edappadi reportedly said, in a polished way, that the survey we took showed Thanjavur was not in our favor.
At that time, Saravanan, who was heartbroken, reportedly lamented to those close to him, “This is the gift Edappadi gave me for being loyal.” What happened after the election is well known to everyone. A few months after being removed from his party post, Edappadi Palaniswami came to Thanjavur. At that time, some people contacted Saravanan and said, “Come and meet brother; everything will turn out well.”
He has put an end to it, saying it won’t work anymore. As talk spread widely that Saravanan was going to join the TVK, there were also attempts within the DMK to bring him over. A local senior DMK leader also reportedly told him, “Whatever it is, think calmly and make a good decision.” They also say he was told that if he came to the DMK, he would be given due recognition.
I have tattooed the twin-leaf symbol on my hand; M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa are both close to my heart. I have always been used to anti-DMK politics, but he rejected me, saying, “My path is my own path.”
Even after that, the one who remained patient wanted to come out into the open despite being identified as a Velumani supporter. In this situation, Vijay Saravanan met Saravanan a few times and said, “Come to our party; it will also strengthen me.” With a few people close to both of them acting as a bridge, this came together. As expected, Saravanan joined the TVK.
MLA Vijay Saravanan took him by the hand and led him away. N. Anand, who draped the TVK party shawl over Saravanan, reportedly said, “Both of you Saravanans should work together; the local body elections are our target,” and offered his wishes.
Many people have been posting on social media about N.S. Saravanan joining TVK. It has also become a topic of discussion in Thanjavur politics.
Speaking about this, Saravanan said, ''After M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa, it is Victory Commander Chief Minister Vijay who has made people from humble backgrounds MLAs and ministers. The party name may be different, but the ideology is the same. Even if they have come from the rival party, AIADMK, the mindset that allows them to remain as they are is enough.
He gives due respect to M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa. He campaigns only after garlanding the statue of M.G.R. and paying his respects. Even someone in the party started by M.G.R. has not done this. Whatever it may be, it is better to travel with like-minded people; that too will be the best way.
"I have begun my next political journey under the leadership of Chief Minister Vijay, who has the mindset of 'let us be well, let us all be well, let us all be well,'" he said.