Fighting a war with his back to the wall

Dhinakaran camp faces uncertain future

TIRUCHI, TAMIL NADU, 18/09/2017: Sidelined AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran being mobbed by supporters on his arrival in Tiruchi on September 18, 2017. Photo: M. Moorthy

Having failed to gain control of the AIADMK and secure its ‘two leaves’ symbol, dissidents rallying behind V.K. Sasikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran could well be staring at an uncertain future in the absence of experienced leaders and a vote base that may not spread beyond caste lines. Floating a new party would only multiply their challenges, say political analysts.

Except for throwing in his hat in the ring for the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar bypoll and declaring that he would challenge the Election Commission’s decision in the court, Mr. Dhinakaran hasn’t shown the strength of the so-called “sleeper cells” yet to the ruling dispensation. The ruling party appears to have been emboldened so much that Local Administration Minister S.P. Velumani, who reportedly owes his rise in the AIADMK to his proximity to a Sasikala family member, on Sunday urged the “Mannargudi family” to move out of politics like former Chief Minister Janaki Ramachandran did after the Jayalalithaa faction’s better performance in the 1989 Assembly elections.

Senior journalist Maalan Narayanan says losing the ‘two leaves’ symbol technically meant losing the legacy of Jayalalithaa and MGR, which the Sasikala clan had claimed. “In all probability, they might float a party which might have the name of Jayalalithaa or

Amma or

Puratchi Thalaivi in one way or the other to claim her legacy,” he said.

Quitting politics is not an option for them as they have lot at stake and they need a party to guard them. “They might attempt to capitalise on the anti-BJP sentiment,” says Mr. Maalan Narayanan.

But with actor Kamal Haasan indicating entry into politics, Mr. Dhinakaran would have to compete with three or four others to emerge as the face of the anti-BJP brigade in the State.

Narrow support base

Political analyst P. Ramajayam points out that the vote base of Mr. Dhinakaran is confined mostly to the Thevar community and he doesn’t have leaders from other communities who can talk to the masses on his behalf.

“Even those leaders and Ministers who campaigned for Mr. Dhinakaran seven months ago are not with him anymore,” he points out.

However, disqualified MLA P. Vetrivel, a vocal supporter of Mr. Dhinakaran, says, “We are not worried at all. We are already holding meetings with our supporters who are an alternative force to the AIADMK across the State.”

Hopeful of drumming up support for his leader even without the ‘two leaves,’ Mr. Vetrivel points out that the AIADMK had lost in some elections despite its iconic symbol. “People are angry with the government and they are with us,” he claims.