Both OPS and EPS were waiting in separate rooms at Nakshatra Inn till Dharupathi Murmu arrived. Then EPS went to the assembly hall and sat with his supporters. Subsequently, EPS, who went to the stage, draped a shawl in support of Drarubathi Murmu on behalf of the AIADMK.
EPS and L. Murugan were sitting on the left and right side of Drarubathi Murmu on the platform. Apart from them, EPS supporters, BJP state president Annamalai and others were present. But, OPS did not go to the platform. After going to EPS, BAMA youth leader Anbumani Ramadoss went on stage and expressed support on behalf of BAMA.
After that, he took to the stage with his son and MP Rabindranath and supporters Vaithilingam, Manoj Pandian, KCD Prabhakaran and expressed OPS support to Drarubathi Murmu. Earlier, various incidents were staged in AIADMK General Committee to humiliate OPS. The behavior of the EPS supporter while keeping senior party leader OPS on the stage drew severe criticism.
In this situation, only EPS graced the stage along with BJP State President Annamalai and Union Minister of State L. Murugan at the Draupathi Murmu program, while OPS went alone and extended support like Anbumani Ramadoss.
Even if we take what happened in the AIADMK General Assembly as an intra-party thing, the main leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), OPS, should be seated on the same stage as EPS in the Draupathi Murmu programme. BJP as an ally may have tried to pacify both of them through this program. However, political critics who question how BJP President Annamalai and Union Minister of State L. Murugan allowed it without doing so, also question whether the BJP wants this split in the AIADMK.
OPS met the media after the event and said, “We have expressed our heartfelt support on behalf of AIADMK in support of Draupathi Murmu. As per the rules of the association, I am acting as the coordinator.” said.