Sources privy to inside information revealed that DMK president MK Stalin was alerted about the ‘departure’ of the MLA by his son in law Sabarishan at least a week ago. However, the DMK high command was ‘confident’ that the disgruntled septuagenarian would not jump ship on being ‘overlooked’ in the appointment of J Anbazhagan’s successor for DMK Chennai (west) district.

Unsurprisingly, it was a tad too little and too late by the time the DMK top brass realized that a defection was on the cards. Party sources with knowledge of the development said the high command did not like the idea of an MLA opposing the decision of the leadership, and that too an influential member of the leader’s family was involved in the decision making. “Everyone knew that Sitrarasu was Udhayanidhi’s pick. Selvam had every right to show his disapproval. His boycott of the August 2 meeting at Anbagam was known to all. Other functionaries have also expressed their dissatisfaction in the past, but they air their disgruntlement to the high command and get it compensated in some other way. Neither he reached out nor the high command cared about him,” said a party senior who did not wish to be named, before admitting that the choice of Thousand Lights candidate for the ensuing election was also a factor that had contributed to his exit.

It was widely rumoured in DMK circles that either Udhayanidhi or a favourite of his would be fielded next year in the constituency where Stalin was once elected from. “Losing his seat was widely debated. District secretary appointment was the last straw. He realized that there was no future and hence he jumped ship,” said the senior.

Curiously, Stalin had made a last ditch effort a few days ago to retain the MLA. Stalin was learnt to have asked a senior functionary in Chennai to convince Selvam who had denied what was then a mere rumour in the elite party circles even while packing his bags to New Delhi. Stalin, sources said, had also vainly asked his men in the national capital to ‘prevent’ Selvam at the Delhi airport from where BJP whisked him away.