Over three weeks after the Lok Sabha Election results saw the AIADMK-BJP alliance win just one of 38 seats in the state, it appears that internal feuds are emerging within the ruling party in Tamil Nadu. In a surprise move, AIADMK’s Madurai North MLA VV Rajan Chellappa held a press conference on Saturday calling for a single party leader. Explaining that he felt compelled to address a press conference since a General Council meeting of the party had not been convened, the MLA made the case for a leader who had been ‘identified’ and ‘certified’ by late AIADMK supremo and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. However, current Chief Minister and AIADMK Deputy Coordinator Edappadi Palaniswami has denied that there are internal fights in the party.
‘Internal differences’
While the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP saw the party sink in the Lok Sabha polls from 37 MPs in 2014 to 1 MP in 2019, AIADMK on its own managed to win 9 seats in the 22-seat Assembly bye-elections, surviving the threat to its power in the state. Speaking to reporters in Madurai on Saturday, Rajan Chellappa accused the nine victorious MLAs of not visiting Jayalalithaa’s memorial along Chennai’s Marina beach to pay their respects. “Till date, only our Theni MP (OP Raveendranath Kumar) has gone to Amma’s memorial and given thanks. Our nine MLAs who possess the power to save the government have not gone to Amma’s memorial and dedicated the victory. Is that their fault or that of the party leadership? Have they not even felt that they need to go to Amma’s memorial? Or who is preventing them? This is a massive victory capable of saving a government and ensuring its continuance. Who is the reason for this?” he slammed.
The AIADMK, which split into two factions— of Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) and O Panneerselvam (OPS)— following the death of Jayalalithaa in December 2016, reunited after ousting VK Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran. EPS remained Chief Minister and was made Deputy Coordinator of the AIADMK while OPS took over as Coordinator of the party and agreed to be the Deputy Chief Minister. However, frequent statements by leaders have explicitly and covertly made it clear that the factions have not always got along since.
‘Single leader needed’
Putting forth his central demand and apparently that of other MLAs he was in touch with, Rajan Chellappa said that the party needed to unite behind one strong leader. He said, “This party needs to be conducted with discipline by one leader. We need a talented and selfless person, whoever it maybe, old or new. It should be someone certified by Amma. Both of them have been certified by Amma. We can see who is better between them or we can look for someone more certified. There is no wrong in that.” Not wishing to state who this qualified leader would be, the MLA said that there was nothing wrong in someone who can control the party taking up the reins of the Chief Minister as well. The post of Leader of the House leader can also be split, he declared.
Requesting the help of the media in resolving the ‘issues’, the MLA said that these grievances had been conveyed to the Chief Minister. Explaining why he hadn’t spoken up earlier, the MLA said, “Earlier there was the illusion of TTV Dhinakaran. If we give out a statement, everyone will think oh it is to strengthen Dhinakaran. Dhinakaran’s history is over.” He added, “This is not an internal party issue.”
When asked if there was no party discipline due to two people being at the helm of affairs, Chellappa claimed, “We have found that the two of them are unable to take appropriate decisions. They cannot take immediate decisions.”
CM: These are party issues
Responding to the post-election comments from the senior party leader, Chief Minister Palaniswami said that a statement can be issued on the MLA’s press conference only after he had watched it. “AIADMK is functioning as a strong party. These are all party issues. If there are internal party tussles, how will so many people from AMMK join us?” he said, blaming the Opposition parties and the media of sensationalizing ‘unnecessary’ news.
However, on the allegation that the nine victorious MLAs had not gone to memorial, he said, “It’s a wrong opinion. MLAs have gone and paid their respects (at Amma’s memorial). There are (construction) works going on there. All the materials have been put there. Only after two days of cleaning you can go inside. Only because the work should not be hindered nobody kept a function there. There is work ongoing to build a grand memorial for Amma. Many MLAs have gone and paid their respects.”
When asked if the dual leadership was the reason for the contrasting performances in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, he said, “I have already said that we are a cadre party. I consider everyone to be a leader. There is no space for the word leader.”
Source: The News Minute