Speaking to media persons, BJP functionary T Narayanan said Nirmala could have refused to meet Panneerselvam following different reports that stated the AIADMK leader had come to hold alliance talks with her. Justifying the snub, another functionary cited reports that the purpose of Paneerselvam’s visit was to seek protection over the corruption cases lodged against him. 

Several other partymen opined that the AIADMK leader had caused a severe embarrassment to the Union Minister by stating that she had allowed him to use an defence helicopter to airlift his ailing brother who holds no official post. Meeting Panneerselvam would amount to accepting his statement, they said. They noted that a private air ambulance was used for VK Sasikala’s husband M Natarajan when he was in poor health. 

However, a few Opposition leaders hit out at the Defence Minister, while some asserted that Panneerselvam and other leaders deserved such treatment. Commenting on the incident, TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasar said the AIADMK leaders through their subordinate behaviour invited this kind of treatment. “If you behave like a bonded labourer, you will be treated like one,” he said. 

Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani said, “While Nirmala Sitharaman could meet an AIADMK MP V Maitreyan, she could not meet the party leader Panneerselvam. It is a good gift to the AIADMK which voted in favour of the BJP in the no-confidence motion.” 

TMC leader GK Vasan, however, slammed the Union Minister and said, “It is not the right example for good politics and such things should not happen again.”