Amit Shah is desperate to unite the warring AIADMK factions
The BJP's offer to play peacemaker between the two factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) seems more than just mediation, especially in the wake of the recent developments in Tamil Nadu.
The BJP has been trying hard to convince the two factions - one headed by chief minister E Palaniswamy (EPS) and the other by former chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) - to merge in order to "lend stability to the state government". Of course, those keeping a close tab on the developments also see this as the BJP's desperate attempt to stop its political rivals from taking advantage of the "fluid situation" in the state, and thereby make inroads into Tamil Nadu politics.
Talks of merger between the two warring factions have been going on for a while but continues to hit roadblocks with both blaming each other for not cooperating.
The AIADMK was fully equipped to complete a five-year term until J Jayalalithaa's death last year. Many in the state are still not able to come to terms to her death and the series of political upheaveal that followed.
The day Jayalalithaa died (December 5, 2016), as many as five cabinet meetings were held secretly inside the hospital and in four of those it was decided that EPS would be named the next CM, until BJP veteran Venkaiah Naidu, the then urban affairs minister, arrived at the spot. Finally, OPS was named the CM and the oath-taking ceremony was held without any delay. Political observers believe that instance made one more thing clear - the power that Naidu wields and his future role in Tamil Nadu politics, until he became the vice-president of the country.
However, the state soon witnessed a series of events leading to EPS's ascension to the CM chair as party general secretary VK Sasikala, who was seen as the natural heir of Jayalalithaa and was waiting to be the CM, ended up in jail following her conviction in the disproportionate assets case.
The developments that followed has now led to a third faction led by TTV Dinakaran, deputy general secretary and Sasikala’s nephew. Dhinakaran was installed as the deputy general secretary before his aunt went to jail.
It is believed his main job was to keep an eye on EPS so that things remain under the Mannargudi family's control. But Dhinakaran soon wanted the "throne" to himself. He decided to contest the RK Nagar bypoll.
However, he was arrested for allegedly trying to bribe an Election Commission official to buy (for his faction) the "frozen" two leaves symbol of the AIADMK during the RK Nagar polls. Although he had to spend 40 days in Delhi's Tihar jail, he later got bail and returned to Chennai. It was during his absence that EPS reportedly strengthened his position in the party and emerged as a real threat to Dinakaran.
Meanwhile, murmurs over the merger continued. Although it is believed that OPS was expecting to became the CM again with a fresh election, everyone came to realise that a fresh Assembly election might just turn the voters away from AIADMK, especially in the wake of allegations of financial irregularities and the long ongoing turmoil in the party.
All these developments incidentally alarmed the BJP, which instructed both the factions to immediately merge. But the BJP's mission couldn't be accomplished because of the constant power struggle between the factions.
Naidu, who visited Chennai earlier, is believed to have told EPS that the people of the state were not happy with the way he was functioning since they were more used to how Jayalalithaa used to handle the state affairs.
With Naidu out of the picture (now that he has become the vice-president of the country), BJP president Amit Shah is said to have taken direct control of Tamil Nadu affairs.
Insiders within the state BJP unit claim that he has given an ultimatum to EPS and OPS factions to announce the merger within August 15, and hold a grand rally when Shah will visit the state in the end of the month.
Yet the BJP remains sceptical knowing that Dhinakaran and Dhivakaran, brother of party general secretary Sasikala, have joined hands now making Sasikala's family stronger than ever before and EPS well aware of this development, can't risk his position.
This is where the DMK seems to have gained from the internal bickering in the AIADMK besides various allegations of financial irregularities against the party which have been raised by the opposition regularly in the Assembly.
Meanwhile, the unofficial "entry" of actor Kamal Haasan into state politics, mostly seen on social media, has also added to the AIADMK's woes.
The BJP, which has been betting high on superstar Rajinikanth, too, seems to be losing hope as the thalaiva has mostly remained non-committal on the issue of joining politics.
With no other options left, the BJP is giving one last push to the merger of AIADMK factions, hoping to keep the EPS and OPS flocks together.
Also read: AIADMK merger: Why Tamil Nadu is playing musical chairs