Chennai, July 2 (BPNS) :
With the main opposition in Tamil Nadu , AIADMK facing tough times with intense power struggle taking place , the ruling DMK is cruising along without much problems at the ground level. Since the 2019 general elections, DMK has been winning back to back elections winning the rural local body elections, then the 2021 assembly elections and the Urban local body polls of 2022.
The AIADMK stood vanquished after a stellar performance of ruling the state from 2011 to 2021- ten years at a stretch . The larger than life persona and shrewd political move by late J. Jayalalithaa had ensured that the AIADMK wins back to back elections.
However after the passing away of Jayalalithaa in December 2016 , intense power struggle commenced in the AIADMK with the former aide of Jayalalithaa, VK Sasikala and her family trying to take over the party. Sasikala was announced as the interim general secretary of the party and was on her way to assume Chief Minister post.
A revolt commenced in the party with her close aide , O. Panneerselvam who is a fellow Thevar, opposed her move and even sat in a dharna near the tomb of Jayalalithaa. In a money laundering and disapprpotionate asset case, Sasikala was sentenced to four year prison term and AIADMK divided into two factions ,one led by O. Panneerselvam and the other by Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
A political move at the highest level by the BJP bridged the difference between the two senior leases of the AIADMK and Edappadi became the Chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
With the party out of power and AIADMK having a joint leadership of O. Panneerselvam and Edappadi K.Palaniswami, the rifts widened between the two senior leaders. The BJP which is in a hurry to become a major force in the state is trying to fan up the division between the two leaders. AIADMK organising secretary and former minister, D. Jayakumar who is a close aide of Edappadi K Palaniswami openly said that BJP was trying to divide the AIADMK.
Dr . Mayulvahanan.R, retired professor from a Private college in Chennai and a political analyst while speaking to BPNS said,” This is the best period for the ruling DMK as opposition in Tamil Nadu is totally divided. The BJP is trying to emerge as a main force in the state and is trying to cut AIADMK to size for that. If the AIADMK does not stay together under a single leader , then it is almost certain that the opposition space will go to the. jO in Tamil Nadu even though it is not an easy proposition.”
With the AIADMK divided and no proper opposition in place in the state, the ruling DMK is cruising along. Another AIADMK ally Pattali Makkal Katchi(PMK) also announced that it was contesting the polls on its own in the rural local body polls and later in the Urban local body polls.
With the AIADMK having major internal issues , and the BJP eagerly trying to wriggle into the main opposition space and the PMK on its own, It’s happy times for the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.
