It was a choice born out of a deadlock, beset with crises since then, and widely predicted to meet its doom any moment. However, a tenacious Edappadi K Palaniswami is about to complete a year as the Chief Minister on Feb 16. A look at the year that went by and the challenges that are awaiting his government.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami

Chennai:

On February 16, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will join as seventh in a list of leaders who have completed a year in office ever since Tamil Nadu was carved out of the Madras Presidency in 1956. 

More than the achievements, his government is being judged for its little-expected ability to survive for a year, despite the absence of a charismatic and strong leader at the top. 

Right from its formation, the Edappadi government was heading into one crisis after another, rocked by controversies and feuds within the party. 

It all started in Koovathur where the AIADMK MLAs stayed for more than a week, ignoring the allegation that they were held captives by chief minister-aspirant VK Sasikala’s family.  

They came out twice – for Palaniswami’s swearing in and for the confidence motion he moved on February 18. 

Amid the din that saw DMK legislators evicted en masse, contrary to expectations of large-scale cross-voting, only eleven MLAs voted against the government. EPS scored his first victory in state politics on that day. 

“From then on, the government faced storm after storm, but emerged unscathed, pulverising the conspiracies and designs of the opposition,” said AIADMK spokesperson Vaigaiselvan. 

The government was with the people by implementing the welfare measures and fulfilling the poll promises one by one. It also had to face unfounded and defamatory charges,” he said. 

Praising Palaniswami’s diplomatic skills, Vaigaiselvan noted how there carried apprehensions over the new leader’s continuity in office and his capability to perform as a chief minister. “He belied all this and steered clean the rocking ship. He proved himself as a shrewd tactician, bringing together all the groups and building cordial ties with the Centre,” he added. 

Concurring with the AIADMK’s claim, political analyst Govi Lenin said, “Running a government for one year certainly is a success for Palaniswami.” 

However, he added, “It is a success for Palaniswami but a defeat for the people. The government does not have a single milestone to be proud of, and they have not performed in terms of governance. 

People have not benefited, and the government has been struggling in the face of protests and resentments from many quarters.” Tumultuous days are not yet over for Palaniswami as the government faces the second onslaught from Sasikala’s family led by her nephew TTV Dinakaran, the RK Nagar MLA. 

The 18 legislators siding with him have challenged their disqualification in the Madras High Court. A petition demanding disqualification of the 11 MLAs, including deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who voted against the government in the confidence motion, and another seeking the quashing of the notices to the DMK legislators are also pending in the court. 

“The future of this government will rely on the outcome of the disqualification case, the ties with Central government and the future relationship of the ruling faction with Sasikala and Dinakaran,” Govi Lenin remarked.

TIMELINE

• FEB 16, 2017: Sworn in  as Chief Minister
• FEB 18: Won confidence vote 
• AUG 22: 19 MLAs withdrew support 
• SEPT 19: After one MLA returned, 18 MLAs disqualified 
• JUNE 5: AIADMK ministers announce snapping ties with Sasikala family
• AUG 21: AIADMK factions headed by Palaniswami and deputy CM O Panneerselvam announced merger
• AUG 26: Dinakaran arrested on charges of bribing Election Commission to get ‘Two Leaves’ symbol
• NOV 23: Election Commission allots ‘Two Leaves’ symbol to united AIADMK