Updated: October 7, 2020 2:16:22 pm
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Prime Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is congratulated by AIADMK coordinator and deputy CM O. Panneerselvam after the former was announced as the party’s top ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections of Tamil Nadu (PTI) 2021
As previously announced, AIADMK announced Wednesday Edappadi K Palaniswami, popularly called EPS, as the party’s prime minister candidate. As acting Prime Minister, and after the removal of General Secretary VK Sasikala, EPS wields maximum power in the party and the government. Still the announcement came later many weeks of fighting between the factions led by him and Senior Deputy Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS), who is also a former prime minister, although he now has a diminished base of support. The announcement of the CM candidate has come along with the formation of an 11-member steering committee, a long-standing demand from OPS.
Why AIADMK has chosen EPS as a CM candidate
Simply put, EPS is the most powerful leader in AIADMK right now. Enjoy the support of nearly all cabinet members, MLAs, and party forums in the districts.
PAHO served as CM three times in the past: twice when the late party supreme, J Jayalalithaa, had to leave power for brief periods and finally after his death. In a party that had centralized powers at a single point, Jayalalithaa and his close assistant Sasikala, the OPS image was that of the true loyalist to Sasikala and his family who gifted him CM publications in the past.
Chennai: AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam announces Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami as the party’s top ministerial candidate for the upcoming 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly (PTI) elections
After Jayalalithaa’s death, OPS, who was entrusted with the role of CM by Sasikala, had broken that trust by leading a revolt against her in the party. However, his failed revolt ousted him from power with EPS, another loyalist to Sasikala, replacing him after a floor test.
Unlike OPS, EPS managed to retain the power it assumed in early 2017. It asserted power and space in the party even when, in the process, it was forced to merge with OPS and expel Secretary General Sasikala and her nephew. TTV Dhinakaran of the party. posts. Sources close to him would blame BJP for forcing him to do things he never intended to do. Even when it had also acted against Sasikala, EPS had also bypassed OPS in the party and managed to gain the support of prominent partners from its predecessor.
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The importance of this announcement for EPS
Announcing EPS as a CM candidate was an obvious decision. Neither had any doubts about his prospects of running for CM again. This tightens your grip on the party even when Sasikala is expected to be released from Bangalore prison in a month
“Even if Sasikala returns and regains her post as party secretary general, EPS will remain a CM candidate. But Sasikala’s possible return also means that he will dismantle these arrangements and positions like the steering committee and coordinator positions, as they were not heard in the party constitution. In such a scenario, OPS will be forced to revert to its former position as loyalist. You don’t have many options left as your base of support is weaker; neither can it rebel like in 2017 or claim a moral advantage, ”said a senior AIADMK minister.
AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam (left) and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami during the announcement of the name of the party’s leading ministerial candidate in Chennai (PTI photo)
Has OPS gained anything from this arrangement?
It was the infighting unleashed by OPS in the last two months that forced the party to form a steering committee on Wednesday, a promise made when the OPS and EPS factions merged in August 2017. As the EPS camp merged He was reluctant to form the leadership for three years, apparently it was a victory for OPS on Wednesday to have his five associates on the newly formed 11-member steering committee.
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However, it will be a victory on paper for OPS, as they only have five MLA left now. Additionally, sources close to OPS admit that the powers of the steering committee are unclear as the party has also formed separate committees to handle the upcoming elections and the selection of candidates.
“The only demand from OPS was to form a committee without any clarity about its powers. Whats Next? OPS will continue to raise more complaints and unleash party unrest or both leaders will focus on election campaigns without showing disagreement in public, as it would only weaken the party, ”said a senior AIADMK leader who supported OPS in the past.
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