An AIADMK party worker who was getting dangerously close to O Panneerselvam was detained by CISF personnel When the man was found carrying a knife, he was questioned Rumors of an assassination attempt on the rebel leader of the AIADMK spread fast

A minor incident inside the Trichy airport almost led a man to be branded a political assassin. An AIADMK party worker who was getting dangerously close to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam was apprehended by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Saturday, August 5, 2017.

Add Asianet Newsable as a Preferred SourcegooglePreferred

The man, who was identified as T Cholarajan, was frisked by CISF personnel when they found him trying to get close to Panneerselvam, who had landed at Trichy at 11.20 am. When he was found carrying a knife, he was detained and questioned, reported the New Indian Express.

Rumors of an assassination attempt on the rebel leader of the AIADMK spread fast. Several TV channels broadcasted the news. Former Union Minister of Shipping and Tamil Manila Congress party leader GK Vasan was convinced enough to condemn the assassination attempt on the former Chief Minister.

However, investigations later revealed that 50-year-old Cholarajan only wanted a selfie with the leader, reported NIE. The man was a barber by profession and an AIADMK party loyalist for the last three decades. He wanted the selfie to later make a banner out of it and flaunt at his daughter’s wedding. And the knife he was carrying was allegedly to work on banners and posters of his leader.

OPS did not notice the commotion behind him and met reporters outside the airport.