Dynamics of Tamil Nadu politics are undergoing changes on a weekly basis with homecomings and deserts by one time loyalists of party supremos. The last to join the bandwagon of cadre deserting the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhakam (AMMK) an outfit launched by TTV Dhinakaran, nephew of the jailed V K Sasikala, is V Pugazhendi, a close associate of the former.
Pugazhendi declared on Sunday that he would join the AIADMK, his parent organization, once deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam returns from a foreign tour. Last week saw former Minister Patchaimal and loyalists who were with the AMMK staging a homecoming by rejoining the AIADMK.
But what has surprised political commentators in Tamil Nadu is his announcement that Sasikala, who is serving a jail term in Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bangalore in connection with the Disproportionate Asset Case too would re-join the AIADMK once she completes her imprisonment which is expected to end in 2020.
“Having been part of the AIADMK for more than 30 years, Sasikala will take a decision on rejoining the party herself,” Pugazhendhi told reporters at Thanjavur. He was all praise for Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami whom he described as “Hero of Tamil Nadu”.
The AMMK has been jolted by the number of senior leaders ditching the party to join the parent body. Only one leader, Thanga Tamilchelvan, has joined the DMK much against the wish of the cadre belonging to the Dravida major. The weakening of the AMMK because of the switching over of party leaders to the AIADMK is being seen as a setback for Dhinakaran.
“Things are not moving as per the expectation of Dhinakaran. Over the last two years, Edappadi Palaniswami has consolidated his position in the party as well as in the Government. Panneerselvam, the one-time challenger to the chief minister too has fallen in line and as on date, Dhinakaran is not in a comfortable position,” said T Ramakrishnan, author and columnist. Ramakrishnan, who has been a keen observer and analyst of the Dravidian politics for more than three decades said it was difficult to say something about the future of the AIADMK. “It all depends on how OPS and EPS handle the situations as they unfold,” he said.
Though he said that Tamil Nadu is doing well in economy, particularly in agriculture, tax mobilization and realization, and inviting investment for rapid industrialisation, it was not an indication that the AIADMK would win the next Assembly election due in May 2021.
“That depends on how the AIADMK succeeds in patching up an effective electoral alliance at the time of the Assembly election. We may be able to say something only after the local body polls due next month,” he said.
Veteran commentators are of the view that any kind of cohesion and unity seen in the AIADMK will not be in the interest of the DMK, which is having a dream run by winning the Lok Sabha polls and majority of the by-polls held in April 2019. “There is no doubt that the AIADMK Government is doing some good work for the farmers in the State by helping them with the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme and strengthening of irrigation projects. But that need not lead them to an electoral victory”, said Kattumannarkoil Kannan, farmers leader and author.
Ramakrishnan said the possibilities of Dhinakaran joining hands with the DMK could not be ruled out. “Vaiko who was the number one enemy of Stalin had no qualms in joining hands with the latter. A similar situation may emerge in course of time,” he said.
