DMK is torn between Panneerselvam and Sasikala
AIADMK (Sasikala) versus AIADMK (Panneerselvam). That is what the political theatre of Tamil Nadu, long used to a DMK versus AIADMK battle, has been reduced to, for the past one week.
It would be an understatement to say that the DMK finds itself in a very awkward position, having been almost elbowed out of the political discourse of the state they have ruled for several years.
In the last six days, the DMK has been brainstorming on what would be the perfect response to the political flux created as a result of O Panneerselvam's revolt. But the dynamic pace at which events have unfolded have left them outpaced.
All through December and January, the thinking in the DMK was that Panneerselvam in the CM's chair was better for the DMK, as he was seen as a weak administrator who would forever look to Poes Garden for guidance.
And that between the two power structures in the AIADMK, the faultlines would show up sooner than later. They were more wary of Sasikala, given her attempts to mould herself as another Jayalalithaa and emerge as a powerful leader just like Amma did in the post-MGR years.
Panneerselvam's revolt last Tuesday changed everything. The DMK was accused of having fomented trouble in the ruling party ranks, something it vehemently denies. On the contrary, sources say that people close to at least 15 Sasikala camp legislators reached out to the DMK last week, to test the waters.
These contacts were established not with the top level of the DMK but at the level of district leaders who had in the past migrated from the AIADMK to the DMK. The sense the DMK got was that these were MLAs who were not comfortable to work under the leadership of either Sasikala or Panneerselvam and expecting a snap poll, wanted to insure their electoral prospects by crossing over to the DMK.
Sources say MK Stalin refused to entertain any party hoppers as he did not want to be accused of driving a wedge to bring down the government. Nor does he want to extend outside support to either faction, at this stage.
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| Panneerselvam's revolt last Tuesday has changed everything. |
The DMK working president would much rather prefer the government to fall under the weight of its own contradictions. Stalin also reportedly told his colleagues not to get perturbed that the party is not part of the media discourse and allow the AIADMK friction to play out in full camera glare.
The DMK also is not keen on a snap poll, having spent a fortune in May last year. It realises that it would want the negativity among the people towards the AIADMK to boil over much more before the election. Ideally, DMK sources say, the party would prefer simultaneous elections to the Assembly and the Lok Sabha in 2019 so that the DMK can reap a windfall in both Chennai and New Delhi.
But now with Panneerselvam's growing stature, the DMK is realising that he could probably be a bigger threat than even Sasikala. The opposition party notes with concern that he has occupied the entire anti-Sasikala and by extension anti-AIADMK space, reducing the DMK to a spectator, at least temporarily. Panneerselvam, much like Stalin did in 2016, has also been smart in using the power of the social media, tapping into the youth.
Which is why the DMK now feels that Sasikala, who has been weakened as a result of this revolt, might probably be better for Karunanidhi's party. It is veering around to the opinion that Sasikala as CM, if she is acquitted by the Supreme Court in the graft case, should rule for a while before the public sentiment against her starts acquiring momentum.
Another person who suffered collateral damage in the OPS vs Sasikala battle is Deepa Jayaraman. Jayalalithaa's niece who had raised the banner of revolt against Sasikala soon after the former CM's demise on December 5, now finds herself out in the cold.
Her home used to attract a lot of crowd that found shades of Amma in her. But now Panneerselvam has walked away with the anti-Sasikala card, leaving Deepa with no political ammunition. Her only option now is to support Panneerselvam and play second fiddle to him.