Turmoil has hit the AIADMK as warring factions of Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam (OPS) and Chief Minister E. Palaniswamy (EPS) have intensified their respective campaigns on the issue of a chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Assembly polls.
The AIADMK was supposed to announce its CM candidate on Tuesday, but the differences between both the leaders could not be ironed out.
Panneerselvam returned from Theni district on Monday night after holding discussions with his supporters and others for the past three days. Important party leaders and ministers started visiting OPS residence from morning 10:30 am on Tuesday for discussions. Deputy co-convener Munuswamy first reached OPS’ residence for discussion and he was followed by important EPS confidants S.P. Velumani, Thagamani, R.B. Udaykumar, and D. Jayakumar reached his residence and the meeting went on for more than two-and-a-half hours.
Sources add that Team EPS has consented to form the 11-member steering committee, but no time frame has been agreed upon for setting up the committee or the powers of the committee. Party insiders add that OPS has made it clear that there should be a concerted plan about the steering committee with the ratio of 5 from the OPS team and 6 from the EPS team in the committee and all the important decisions related to the party have to be taken through the steering committee.
OPS has also emphasised that there should be a representation given to all communities equally, as there is already a notion that only 2 particular caste representatives hold all powers in the party. Right after the meeting with the OPS at his residence, the entire minister delegation shuttled back to EPS residence and briefed him about the discussion that happened at the latter’s residence. The meeting at the EPS also lasted for an hour. Team EPS is of the view that a new committee will only increase complications and the party should just empower the existing election committees.
The second round of discussions was held at both leaders’ residences with their supporters. Hinting that a consensus has not been reached between both the leaders, Minister Jayakumar who attended discussions with OPS said that “the talks between the brothers will continue and a consensus will be reached soon.”
Senior party leaders say that the announcement regarding the CM Candidate will be made as decided at the executive council as there is no confusion over that and along with that, other announcements regarding the Steering committee and various election committees are also expected to be announced tomorrow.
Though it was announced early that the convener and the co-convener will jointly announce the party’s CM Candidate, there is no clarity whether the leaders will come to the party office for making the announcements, but declaration arrangement works are being carried out at the party office.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Governor has sent wishes to both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam for “successful completion of three years tenure in the office”.