Out on bail, AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran has sought to depart from his earlier decision to “step aside” from the party and instead “resume” party work. However, the going may not be easy for him considering that much water has flown politically in the intervening period when he was behind bars.
Observers feel that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami may not want to report to Mr. Dhinakaran again. Mr. Palaniswami has begun to assert himself in the party and is cosying up to the Centre as well.
When asked what could have been the possible reason behind the decision of Mr. Dhinakaran to seek an active role for himself in the party, political commentator R. Mani says, “Initially, he had agreed to step aside hoping that it may facilitate the merger of the two AIADMK factions. But now, perhaps he has found support within the party that has emboldened him to fight it out, come what may.”
Nonetheless, Mr. Mani contends that Mr. Dhinakaran may not be able to get the backing of the CM. Pointing to the tone in Dr. Namadhu MGR , the party’s mouthpiece, which strongly opposed the BJP government’s restriction on cattle trade, Mr. Mani says, “On the other hand, the Chief Minister has not even spelt out his stand on the issue.”
Mr. Palaniswami seems to have already fallen in line with the Modi government. “Mr. Palaniswami has tasted blood while in office and he would not want to serve Mr. Dhinakaran any more. The CM would know the expectations of the Centre better and he could be much more cruel than O. Panneerselvam (who rebelled against Sasikala); else, he might face the wrath of the Centre,” says Mr. Mani.
‘No change in stand’
Meanwhile, the AIADMK (PTA) has said that there is no change in its stand that both Sasikala and Mr. Dhinakaran have to be expelled from the party. AIADMK (PTA) spokesperson K. Pandiarajan says: “We want the the two to be removed from the party. It is up to them to decide how to react to Mr. Dhinakaran’s position.”
However, AIADMK (Amma) spokesperson Dheeran says Mr. Dhinakaran’s decision was only natural. “Despite Mr. Dhinakaran stepping aside from party affairs, the Panneerselvam faction did not come forward for merger talks. If only they had, we would be together now.”
