Come Tuesday, the AIADMK government, which retained power in the May 2016 Assembly polls, will complete a tumultuous year in office: a year that saw the passing away of Jayalalithaa, the rebellion of her successor O. Panneerselvam and the jailing of its general secretary V K Sasikala and deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran.
Incidentally, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who enjoys a wafer-thin majority in the Assembly, would be completing 100 days in office later this week.
Barely four months after its hard-won victory, the hospitalisation of Jayalalithaa on September 22 last year marked the beginning of an uncertain administration. Her portfolios were allocated to the then Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam.
During her hospitalisation, the Central Government managed to bring the State on board on the Food Security Act, the UDAY Scheme, and the Food Security Act, issues on which Jayalalithaa had taken a tough stand.
After Mr. Panneerselvam stepped into her shoes on the night of December 5, he displayed a benign neglect during the jallikattu protests, warmed up to the Centre and won admirers with the transparent and active manner in which he engaged with officials during Cyclone Vardah.
Dented image
However, he came across as a weak leader when the then Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao dared the government to take action after the Income Tax Department conducted searches at the State Secretariat and his premises.
Just as Mr. Panneerselvam was settling down, Sasikala eyed his post. He bowed to her and resigned, only to revolt later. However, he could not draw blood as Sasikala managed to anoint Edappadi K. Palaniswami as Chief Minister before going to jail.
Even before Mr. Palaniswami could establish a grip over the administration, the I-T searches at Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar’s house dented the image of the government.
The corruption charge against Social Welfare Minister V. Saroja and the Supreme Court order directing authorities to register a cheating case against Food Minister R. Kamaraj have added to his embarrassment.
However, of late, Mr. Palaniswami has been seeking to assert himself even while reaching out to the rival faction led by Mr. Panneerselvam.
‘Government on track’
Senior member in the Cabinet and Electricity Minister P. Thangamani says that the government was very much on track.
“We have been proceeding towards the ideals set out by our leader Amma (Jayalalithaa). As announced in the election manifesto, Amma shut down 500 Tasmac shops and another 500 were shut by Annan (elder brother) Palaniswami. All other promises are being implemented and would be implemented gradually.”
However, senior DMK leader and Deputy Floor Leader in the Assembly Durai Murugan alleges that there has been “no governance” since the death of Jayalalithaa.
“Saadhanaigalai vida sodhanaigale adhigam (There are more challenges for the government than achievements). She [Jayalalithaa] herself announced several schemes which cannot be implemented and there was no follow up on them by the present government.
“There is no government in place and how can you expect the schemes to be implemented?” asks Durai Murugan.
Besides pointing out the issues facing the government such as drought in various parts of the State, the drinking water crisis and the I-T searches in Minister’s residence, he alleges that the Speaker was not conducting the House in a democratic manner.
Key dates for the government:
May 23, 2016: Jayalalithaa swoen in as Chief Minister
September 22, 2016: Jayalalithaa hospitalised
December 5, 2016: Jayalalithaa declared dead
December 6, 2016: O. Panneerselvam sworn in as CM
December 21, 2016: I-T raids at Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao's residence, office
February 16, 2017: Edappadi K. Palaniswami sworn in as CM
February 18, 2017: Edappadi K. Palaniswami wins confidence vote
April 7, 2017: I-T raids at Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar's residence
Key dates for party:
May 19, 2016: AIADMK re-elected
Febraury 5, 2017: V.K. Sasikala electde Leader of Legislative Party
February 7, 2017 - O. Panneerselvam revolts against her
February 14, 2017: SC upholds trial court order against Sasikala, others is disproportionate assets case
February 15, 2017 - TTV Dhinakaran named AIADMK deputy general secretary
March 22, 2017 - EC freezes AIADMK symbol following intra-party dispute
April 9, 2017 - EC rescinds R.K. Nagar bypoll
April 17, 2017 - Senior Ministers announce sidelining of Dhinakaran
April 25, 2017 - Delhi Police arrests Dhinakaran on bribery charge
Major policy decisions taken
- Implementation of the National Food Security Act
- Implementation of the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY)
- Bills opposing National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
- Accepting GST Bill with some suggestions
Major promises yet to be fulfilled:
- Waiver of all farm loans
- Separate houses for fisherfolk
- Amma Banking Card for the poor
- New granite policy, Lok Ayukta
- Co-optex coupons worth Rs. 500 for Pongal for all ration card holders
- Free cell phones for all ration card holders
- Aavin milk at Rs. 25 per litre
- Reimbursement of education load by government
- Free wi-fi at public spaces
Continuing challenges
- Drinking water crisis and the worst drought in over a century
- HC deadline for conducting local body polls
- HC order to extend loan waiver to all farmers
- Opposition to relocation of Tasmac shops from highways to residential areas
