CHENNAI: An AIADMK cadre who was found carrying a knife inside the Tiruchy airport and was allegedly trying to get close to the party's rebel leader O Panneerselvam was detained by CISF personnel on Saturday. Inquiries found that the man was a supporter of Panneerselvam's faction and was a barber by profession.
The man, who was identified as Cholarajan, aged 50, was frisked by CISF personnel when they found him trying to get close to Panneerselvam, who had landed at Tiruchy at 11.20 am. When he was found carrying a knife, he was detained and questioned.
As rumors spread about an assassination attempt on OPS, investigation revealed that Cholarajan was a barber by profession and was a supporter of Panneerselvam. Sources said he did not attempt to take out the knife on OPS who was addressing the media near the VIP exit at the airport.
However, some TV channels, rallying on the rumors, flashed the news on the supposed "assassination" attempt on Panneerselvam. Based on those reports, Tamil Manila Congress party leader and former Union minister G K Vasan issued a statement condemning the "attack" on Panneerselvam and his statement even suggested that the "attack" was due to Paneerselvam's criticisms of the state government.