At a press conference in Chennai on Thursday, AIADMK coordinator and Jayalalithaa’s Man Friday, O Panneerselvam faced a tough question from a reporter: “Are you being forced to step down?”
Panneerselvam paused, as the question drew dangerously close to the root of the problem and a illuminating answer may just shed light on the leadership crisis that gripped Jayalalithaa’s party last week: “The cadre of this party will not allow it,” Panneerselvam said. said in a nutshell
Panneerselvam is facing a growing challenge for his position as the coordinator of the AIADMK. At a recent district secretaries meeting, some members said that it would be better for a leader to keep the reins of the party, as the Palaniswami-Paneerselvam alliance is now overseeing party affairs.
The call for a single leadership spells immediate trouble for Panneerselvam. Since the failed crusade to capture the party in February 2017, Panneerselvam has been a dwindling shadow. Palaniswami, on the other hand, went from strength to strength from election negotiations to managing key ministries and taking over as chief minister till the end of the AIADMK rule in May last year.
Panneerselvam managed to get an MP seat for son OP Rabindranath and dominated in Theni’s home district, while Palaniswami consolidated power in the western districts of Tamil Nadu.
In a much weaker position, Panneerselvam now faces the current test with calls for a unified leadership.
It is also worth mentioning that today’s press conference was less loyal to Panneerselvam than before, with MLA Manoj Pandian prominent. However, leaders like V Maitreyan and S Semmalai are watching from the sidelines as Panneerselvam grapples with the crisis alone.
While it is true that his supporters are shouting slogans outside his Chennai residence and during his presence at the party headquarters, it cannot be denied that his political equity has been significantly reduced since his glory days in February 2017. has occurred.
The possibility of VK Sasikala extending support to the endangered Panneerselvam (they belong to the sub-castes under the Mukkulathor community) exists, but it is still only a possibility.
With the BJP looking at the edge – the BJP’s state leadership had called Panneerselvam’s crisis an intra-party one – it appears as if Panneerselvam has a few aces up his sleeve. However, they certainly have one in common: the AIADMK cadre. But, the question is, will he stand in favor of Panneerselvam?
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