AIADMK co-coordinator and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday sought to pacify chairman of the party’s presidium E. Madhusudanan, who was reportedly sulking over the ‘domination’ of Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar in the party’s affairs.
Without elaborating on his representation to the CM, Mr. Madhusudanan told The Hindu, “During my meeting in the morning, the Chief Minister assured me that he would look into it [his grievance]. When the person at the helm of affairs makes a commitment, you have to respect it. This is why I have chosen not to hold any [public] event,” he said, alluding to the cancellation of his planned press meet.
Though Mr. Madhusudanan and Mr. Jayakumar are not known to share a bonhomie, the latest stand-off is said to have been triggered by the inability of the former’s nominees to contest in elections held for the post of directors in fishermen’s cooperative societies. Mr. Jayakumar is being blamed for this.
There have also been reports that Mr. Jayakumar was trying to exercise his influence over the North Chennai–North (East) district unit of the party. Mr. Madhusudanan’s aide R.S. Rajesh is the secretary of the unit.
Mr. Jayakumar, however, told journalists that he did not have any differences of opinion with Mr. Madhusudanan.