The power tussle in the AIADMK threatens to break up the party and thrust it into oblivion

Modern-day politics in Tamil Nadu is intertwined with its films and cine stars. Starting with first DMK Chief Minister CN Annadurai to AIADMK’s J Jayalalithaa and reigning CM MK Stalin, all had their moorings in films. The script and storylines of politics have a lot of similarities with films “assembled” in the studios of Kollywood. The tussle for power in the AIADMK, which is in a state of chaos following the demise of Jayalalithaa in 2016, resembles a comedy film. It has three leaders pulling the party in different directions and all of them are on a State-wide tour to drum up support. Last week’s general council meeting in Chennai had a funny end with the participants unanimously shouting down the 23 resolutions introduced by party coordinator O Panneerselvam, who is out to take control of the AIADMK. Edappadi Palaniswami, leader of the Opposition and the party coordinator, wants a single leader to head the party and end the existing dual leadership system since it has not done the party any good since being introduced in August 2017. The AIADMK has not won any election since 2019, substantiating Palaniswami’s reservations on dual leadership.

EPS, who was the CM from 2017 to 2021, has proved his mettle and capability. Panneerselvam’s liaising with VK Sasikala, the former interim general secretary who was eased out of the AIADMK along with her family members in 2017 to facilitate unity between EPS and OPS, is being viewed with suspicion by party leaders. Sasikala, a close aide to late Jayalalithaa who was convicted with four-year imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case, is out to hijack the 50-year-old AIADMK. Sasikala is on a Puratchi Payanam (revolutionary journey) to influence party cadres and bring them over to her side. Chinnamma, as she is called by acolytes, had declared in 2012 that she would never aspire for any position or power in the party. In 2017, she was about to be sworn in as the CM but the Supreme Court verdict upholding her four-year term saved Tamil Nadu from that predicament. If these leaders fail to sail together, the golden jubilee year of the party could see the burial of the AIADMK. The Pioneer had forecast as early as December 11, 2016, that the AIADMK would disintegrate into fragments faster than it was formed. Is the AIADMK leadership reading this?