A political feud in Tamil Nadu that began with the death of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in December appears to be in the vicinity of a settlement. The two rival factions of the AIADMK are talking terms and conditions of a possible reconciliation. That means the sidelining of party chief VK Sasikala, who is in a Bengaluru jail, but has retained control by installing a proxy as Chief Minister and her nephew, TTV Dinakaran as party no 2. Ops wants death of Jayalalithaa to be probed.
Since being made the deputy leader of the party, Mr Dinakaran has been named in various corruption scandals – and most members of Ms Sasikala’s camp are demanding his removal. Today, party leaders said that Mr Dinakaran “welcomes” the possibility of a merger.
When Ms Jayalalithaa died as Chief Minister, her live-in aide, Ms Sasikala quickly appropriated control of the AIADMK, a manoeuvre that appeared to have the backing of all party leaders. The problem began after that – when she tried to become Chief Minister. O Panneerselvam, called OPS by supporters, who was head of the government, refused to quit. Ms Sasikala’s political plans took a big hit when the Supreme Court in February sentenced her to jail for corruption.
Ms Sasikala then installed E Palaniswamy as Chief Minister. Before heading to jail, she made Mr Dinakaran, her nephew, the party No 2. She kept the rank of party chief for herself.
Ms Sasikala’s group has about 120 legislators; it is the faction of the AIADMK that is in power. Mr Panneerselvam’s rival bloc is far smaller, but includes senior leaders who disagreed with Ms Sasikala and family being given charge of the party.
Ministers who met Mr Dinakaran this morning said that he supports talks of a merger; they also claimed that the other team has not, as stated in some media reports, asked for the resignations of Mr Dinakaran and Ms Sasikala.
Ministers and AIADMK lawmakers from Ms Sasikala’s group – the one that’s governing Tamil Nadu – have rebelled after multiple corruption charges against Mr Dinakaran, which they fear are hurting the party.
Mr Dinakaran decided in March to run for office from Ms Jayalalithaa’s constituency. There was allegedly so much money being given to voters that the election, which was to take place last week, was cancelled by the Election Commission.
Then, yesterday, the Delhi Police accused Mr Dinakaran with corruption and criminal conspiracy for allegedly deputing a 27-year-old to bribe Election Commission officials with up to Rs. 50 crore. The young “fixer”, Sukash Chandrasekhar, has shared details with the police of Mr Dinakaran’s alleged plans to “buy” the party symbol.
The two-leaf symbol has not been granted so far to either faction by the Election Commission. It is the best form of ID for the party among voters, so it a highly-prized asset. Both teams of the AIADMK have claimed it. The Commission will award it to whichever group it recognises as the “real” AIADMK. The other will be seen as a spin-off or breakaway faction.
A group of 10 ministers has been assigned to hold talks with the OPS faction for a merger. “We are brothers from the same family,” said a minister, Sellur Raju, who is part of the negotiating team.
What has to be worked out is whether Mr Palaniswami will remain Chief Minister, if a merger takes places, and if Mr Panneerselvam will get a top post – like party chief. The momentum for a reconciliation picked up last evening when Mr Dinakaran was away from Chennai. He planned to meet his aunt, Ms Saikala, in jail, was unable to do so, and may attempt a conferral today, said sources.
He was expelled in 2012 from the AIADMK along with other relatives of Ms Sasikala including her husband upon the orders of Ms Jayalalithaa, who believed the family was working against her and trying to influence important decisions like the appointments of bureaucrats.
