In an exclusive interview with The News Minute’s Dhanya Rajendran, O Panneerselvam made an explosive and starting revelation: he wasn't allowed to meet the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa even once during her 75-day hospitalisation.

Asked why OPS was calling for an inquiry commission into Jayalalithaa’s treatment when he was at Apollo Hospital throughout, he responded with the startling revelation that, “I was at the hospital every day, but I did not see Amma at all, not even once.”

OPS added that all the information that he received about Jayalalithaa was second hand. “I only received information from doctors and others who were there, and this was the same information that I gave to others who asked me.”

He said that he had asked for the inquiry commission because the people’s minds had not been set to rest by Monday’s press conference by consultant intensivist Dr Richard Beale and other doctors from Apollo Hospital.

“On Amma’s health and treatment, it was only day before yesterday that the doctors gave a press conference in which they clarified the details of the treatment procedure. Even then, we are in a situation where Tamil Nadu’s people are raising doubts, asking questions about all of it. Therefore, if there is an inquiry commission, and a full investigation is conducted, then the state’s people might finally get some definitive answers. This is why I said that there should be an inquiry commission,” he said.

One of the allegations against OPS’s current revolt is that it is being driven by a DMK conspiracy, with AIADMK leaders pointing to a smile OPS shared with DMK working president MK Stalin, as evidence. OPS summarily dismissed the allegations of a cospiracy, saying, “There is no evidence for it. And there is no evidence that anyone can claim for it.” 

Watch the video here: