Apart from the presence of at least 20 MLAs, six MPs and a section of party functionaries, the birth centenary celebration of the late Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran organised by AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran in Melur near here on Monday also turned out to be a display of his strength.
Thousands of cadre from several districts, particularly from Thanjavur and neighbouring regions, began to assemble at the open arena in Melur. It took nearly 10 minutes for Mr. Dhinakaran to get on to the stage from his car parked nearby, since hundreds of cadre thronged to welcome him despite desperate attempts by the organisers to regulate the crowd.
As Mr. Dhinakaran entered the stage, accompanied by popular songs from MGR’s films playing in the background and sloganeering by party functionaries, all the cadre were on their feet cheering him.
The enthusiasm of the crowd was palpable as it cheered Mr. Dhinakarn for his every comment criticising the party factions led by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam.
Gauging the enthusiasm of the crowd, Mr. Dhinakaran questioned whether similar enthusiasm was seen in the MGR birth centenary celebrations attended by Mr. Palaniswami in Madurai. “They had to bring students on the pretext of distributing welfare assistance to fill the chairs. But, here, we did not persuade anyone to come. This crowd has gathered on its own,” he said, to loud cheers from the cadre.
A. M. Anandarajan, party member and former panchayat union chairman from Tiruvannamalai district, said that the function had clearly established who enjoyed support among the cadre. “Hence, those in power should act to strengthen the party instead of dividing it against the will of cadre,” he said.