Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who completed 100 days in office on Friday, appears to have started projecting himself as the face of the State government and the ruling party.
When Mr. Palaniswami touched the 100-day mark since assuming office, the government came out with a publication, giving an account of its accomplishments in a variety of fields, apart from issuing advertisements to the media. This was in sharp contrast to the past when he and his government kept a low profile, shunning publicity.
Now, at cinema halls, prior to the screening of feature films, a documentary film made by the government, showcasing different schemes and initiatives after Mr. Palaniswami took over, is being shown. In the last one week, the government had ensured that information about the Chief Minister receiving petitions from the public at his official residence in Chennai and the help he gave to a couple from Tamil Nadu to board a flight at the Delhi airport promptly reached the media.
Further, AIADMK (Amma) statements are being issued in the name of Mr. Palaniswami who is the headquarters secretary of the party. The party constitution’s rule 18, dealing with responsibilities and functions of office-bearers of the party, has no reference to the post of headquarters secretary, even though it discusses the role of the chairman, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer.
A few days ago, Dr. Namadhu MGR , regarded as the party organ, carried an advertisement inserted by Kadambur Raju, Thoothukudi district secretary of the Puratchi Thalaivi Peravai and Information Minister, on the day Mr. Palaniswami took part in an official event concerning the former’s department.
Minister defends CM
“It is unmistakable that the CM is making best use of the situation,” says Badri Seshadri, political commentator, wondering whether Mr. Palaniswami would have gone to this extent had deputy general secretary of the AIADMK (Amma) T.T.V. Dhinakaran been around. The presence of V.K. Sasikala, who was in control of the party till mid-February, was one of the major factors that came in the way of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam engaging himself in self-promotion when he was in office, Mr. Seshadri adds.
K.A. Sengottaiyan, one of the senior-most legislators in the present Assembly and School Education Minister, denies the suggestion that Mr. Palaniswami is overreaching himself.
“As chairman of the party presidium, I am authorised to convene meetings of the organisation. Treasurer is meant for handling financial transactions.
“In the absence of general secretary and deputy general secretary, the headquarters secretary comes next to them in hierarchy. Mr. Palaniswami is also the Chief Minister. He is well qualified to issue the statements,” Mr. Sengottaiyan explains.
However, R. S. Bharati, organising secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, asked how Mr. Palaniswami can project himself in the party when there is no authorisation of the AIADMK general council.
“The way he is conducting himself gives the room for suspicion that he is doing everything as per the dictates of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
( With inputs from Dennis S. Jesudasan )