EPS set to be CM Pick, OPS settles for steering panel as AIADMK struggles to put out internal fire


File photo of Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami (left) and MP O Panneerselvam.

File photo of Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami (left) and MP O Panneerselvam.

Rival factions led by O Panneerselvam and Edappadi Palaniswami are up to their necks in parliaments to resolve questions about who should be the top ministerial candidate and why the party should not pay attention to VK Sasikala’s proposals.

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  • Last update: October 6, 2020 4:15 PM IST
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Hectic parliaments were held in rival factions within the AIADMK on Tuesday, just a day before the announcement of the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming state elections in 2021, and it was speculated that O Panneerselvam might have to agree to be the leader of the party while Edappadi Palaniswami is projected as the CM candidate.

AIADMK Senior Ministers, including KA Sengottaiyan, Kadambur Raju, and D Jayakumar, held talks with Palaniswami at his residence while Panneerselvam loyalists, including Deputy Coordinator KP Munusamy, Manoj Pandian, and former Minister Natham Vishwanathan met at the PAHO residence. in Chennai.


In what seemed a symbol of the internal struggle, the AIADMK ministers moved between the residences of both chiefs, trying to reach an agreement.

Sources on both sides confirm that a decision has been made regarding AIADMK’s main ministerial candidate for the next elections to the state assembly. Sources familiar with the developments say Palaniswami will be named CM’s candidate and that OPS ‘demand for an 11-member steering committee will be met in an announcement on October 7.

MP CM O Panneerselvam had been playing a tough match for the past month, mainly in regards to his role in the AIADMK bigger picture. Both at the state level and in dialogue with the Center, it has been Palaniswami who has been making the decisions when it comes to government affairs.

With elections just around the corner, it seems that Panneerselvam has made it clear that it deserves to have a wider participation in decision-making. One of Panneerselvam’s main concerns has been the choice of the chief ministerial candidate, which the Palaniswami faction has been interested in declaring from the beginning. Paneerselvam fought against that challenge at the recent Executive Committee meeting in late September.

While Panneerselvam is widely expected not to upset the apple cart before the elections, it would be clear on Wednesday whether internal disputes within AIADMK will continue or be resolved once and for all, said an AIADMK leader who wishes to remain. anonymous.

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