It is clear that bitter infighting in the AIADMK has grievously hurt the prospects of both the factions (“‘Two leaves’ symbol frozen by EC for R.K. Nagar bypoll”, March 23). Neither the V.K. Sasikala faction nor the O. Panneerselvam faction can now face the electorate as the real AIADMK, the legacy of MGR and Jayalalithaa. When MGR split with the DMK and started his own party, he rode the wave to power thanks to his charisma and popularity. Jayalalithaa too was charismatic. Both T.T.V. Dinakaran and Mr. Panneerselvam lack the ability to attract votes like those leaders did, though Mr. Panneerselvam can claim that ‘Amma’ had always reposed faith in him. The Election Commission’s decision could work in favour of the DMK.
C.V. Aravind,
Chennai
The EC’s prudent decision deserves praise. That the ruling AIADMK is in dire straits now is an indisputable fact. The R.K. Nagar bypoll will now be an acid test for both the rival factions of the party to prove their strength. As things stands now, it looks like Mr. Panneerselvam’s faction may stand to gain.
M. Jeyaram,
Sholavandan, Madurai
