By Nimesh Bansal
Ever since the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, Tamil Nadu has been in a state of political limbo. Factions emerged, leaders fell by the wayside and, the public remained disillusioned. However, hopes for a truce emerged when news broke out that the two rival factions of the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam)one led by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and the other by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS)were close to a merger.
AIADMK leader, V Maitreyan, quashed the news saying: These are just rumours. Nothing is going to happen before the 2019 polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may expand his cabinet soon, but AIADMK will not be a part of it.
BJP’s eye on the feud
The BJP is looking to further its footprint within the country. The party recently forged an alliance with Nitish Kumar in Bihar after the latter broke away from the RJD. Driven by the success, the BJP seems to have picked Tamil Nadu as the next state on its agenda to garner support for a re-election bid in the 2019 general elections.
Reportedly, the BJP is impressed with the administration of the EPS’ faction of AIADMK. However, keeping in mind the volatile political situation in the state, the ruling party is trying to get the warring factions to merge.
Origins of animosity: The Sasikala episode
Sasikalas appointment as the partys general secretary was the beginning of the animosity within the AIADMK. Ever since Sasikalas rise to the top of the AIADMK, Panneerselvam petitioned against her. Finally, upon the confirmation of her appointment, Panneerselvam formed a breakaway faction. Sasikala’s appointment meant that she was set to replace Panneerselvam as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
However, there was another twist in the tussle for the throne when Sasikala was convicted in an illegal assets case in February. Before surrendering to the police, she appointed Edappadi K. Palaniswami as the states chief minister, deepening the ire of the OPS camp.
Failed attempts at diplomacy
Last month, there were signs of respite when both sides publicly announced their willingness to hold talks. The talks broke down when the OPS faction put forth non-negotiable demands, which EPS and his aides were unwilling to accept. The OPS faction demanded a CBI probe into the death of Jayalalithaa. They also asked for the removal of AIADMK chief VK Sasikala along with her family members, including Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran, from the party.
Some senior party leaders have pointed out O. Panneerselvams personal aspirations might also be a roadblock to any potential merger. It is believed that Panneerselvam will not settle for anything less than the chief minister’s post and control over the party.
Ulterior motives: BJP hopes for alliance
The BJP, however, remains hopeful an agreement would eventually be reached between the two feuding factions. An anonymous BJP source said- Things may not happen at the pace at which they are being expected. Both factions are with us, but there are differences among themselves. Besides, there is no urgency as far as we in the BJP are concerned.
BJP hopes that AIADMK will align itself with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. AIADMKs 50 MPs in the two houses of Parliament would help serve BJPs agenda. But in the absence of harmony within the AIADMK, that plan seems a bit far-fetched.
Leaders on both sides of the AIADMK refuse to budge from their demands, putting BJPs aspirations of gaining a stronghold in the south on hold. But taking heed from the recent upturn in Bihar, it would not be a surprise if the BJP, yet again, get their wish.
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