Dhinakaran finds himself on sticky wicket

His support base largely comprises MLAs who are disillusioned over being denied Cabinet berths

CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, 15/03/2017: AIADMK deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran addresses supporters after being named the R.K. Nagar candidate for the byelections, in Chennai on March 15, 2017. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam

AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s recent actions in appointing an additional set of office-bearers to the party and shying away from visiting the party headquarters have raised questions about his larger acceptability within the ruling party.

Ever since he was sidelined by the group of Ministers in April, Mr. Dhinakaran has not visited the party headquarters as the atmosphere has not been conducive whereas Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has held meetings there to assert himself.

MLA exudes hope

Mr. Dhinakaran has instead opted to tour parts of the State later this month. His support base largely comprises MLAs, who are disillusioned at being denied a Cabinet berth, and some party functionaries. His influence over party district secretaries is not visible and two office-bearers he appointed have expressed reluctance to accept the same.

However, it may be early to write him off from the scheme of things. Mr. Dhinakaran’s staunch supporter and Andipatti MLA Thangatamilselvan contends that his leader’s relevance can’t be undermined. “Our party cadre are with us. They want TTV to lead the party. Even the Ministers are with us barring a few. You will soon see the next action of our leader,” he claims.

He points to the fact that on Sunday Periyakulam MLA K. Kathirkamu, who had turned down a party post, offered by Mr. Dhinakaran, had changed his mind and offered to work under the deputy general secretary’s leadership.

Mr. Thangatamilselvan contends that only three Ministers, besides the Chief Minister, were against Mr. Dhinakaran and the remaining were with the latter. “Most of the Ministers don’t know what to do. They are indecisive and would support us soon,” he claims.

Professor Ramu Manivannan of the Department of Politics and Public Administration in the University of Madras, however, says that the act of naming additional functionaries only showed that the faction led by Mr. Dhinakaran was weak. “He will soon be exposed. He has named these functionaries on his own volition and without any consensus with the party,” he says.

But political analyst R. Mani feels Mr. Dhinakaran cannot be easily written off from the ruling party. “The DNA of AIADMK has the influence of Sasikala family. About 80% of the MLAs who are now with Edappadi Palaniswami came only because of the Sasikala family. So, you cannot underestimate Mr. Dhinakaran’s influence in the party,” he argues.

Alleging that the BJP has a role in the prevailling confusion in the AIADMK, Mr. Mani says, “There is discontent among party cadre that the BJP is influencing their decision. It would be easy for Mr. Dhinakaran to get their support.”