Ever since Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) took over the reins of AIADMK and expelled O Panneerselvam (OPS) in one of the fiercest power struggles in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party has been keeping a close watch on developments in Tamil Nadu.
As the two factions fight for control, BJP sources claim that it is the institution that matters and not the individual.
“We are yet to become a major party in the state. We have decided that it is an institution like AIADMK that matters to us and not to any individual.
In response to questions about the BJP’s closeness with the OPS and whether the party will now release the troubled leader, as he has been expelled from the AIADMK by the EPS – who has promoted himself to the post of interim general secretary – a senior BJP leader said. The leader said that the party had maintained good relations with both the leaders.
“A few days back, when BJP leaders went to seek support for Presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu, they met both the OPS and the EPS. While Sasikala is also not allowed to attend the party, we keep our line open for her as well. However, it is the party we deal with, not the individuals.”
The saffron party, which has four MLAs in Tamil Nadu and has been working tirelessly to strengthen itself in the state so far has not been kind to the BJP, says the conflict between the OPS and the EPS is internal. However, it is following a wait and watch policy regarding partition.
Party leaders are also assured that the AIADMK is fighting the DMK for power and the BJP is a natural ally for the AIADMK as it can never forge an alliance with the Congress.
“Jayalalithaa was also our ally and she hated the Congress. AIADMK still respects him. They cannot go with Congress. It is we who can hope for an alliance,” said the senior leader.
The BJP is trying to focus its strength and core set of voters to register a substantial presence in the state, which has been ruled by regional parties for quite some time.
High drama was witnessed on Monday as uproar at the party office by supporters of OPS and EPS as Madras High Court gave green signal to AIADMK to hold its General Council meeting, which OPS sought to stay Was. The AIADMK scrapped the dual leadership structure and decided to hold organizational elections within four months.
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