The politics surrounding the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Amma), which has been virtually rudderless since the demise of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, witnessed one more turn on Thursday with more than two dozen MLAs and district secretaries calling upon Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to “bring back sidelined” deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran.
The pro-Dhinakaran camp wanted Mr. Palaniswami to ensure that Mr. Dhinakaran is given a place of importance during the proposed centenary celebration of party’s founder M.G. Ramachandran, for which the Chief Minister had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Similarly, they wanted an Iftar party to be organised under the auspices of Mr. Dhinakaran.
The camp also feels that the initiative for “bringing back” Mr. Dhinkaran should come from Mr. Palaniswami as the former had decided to step aside in mid-April following a decision taken by several ministers to keep him and his family, alluding to the clan of interim general secretary V.K. Sasikala, out of the affairs of the party.
Dhinakaran in control
An observer said the day’s events only revealed that Mr. Dhinakaran was keen on sending out a message to the rest of the world that it was he who was in control of the party.
Thangatamilselvan, Andipatti legislator and a key supporter of Mr. Dhinakaran, told The Hindu that he had raised a number of issues with Mr. Palaniswami with regard to “strengthening the party.”
The Chief Minister reportedly told him that he would respond after consulting with senior leaders.
Later in the day, the Chief Minister met senior functionaries of the party at the party headquarters in Royapettah.