CHENNAI: The AIADMK is putting on a brave front even as sections in the party expressed apprehensions about V K Sasikala denting the party’s prospects in some 25 constituencies in the six southern districts, where the mukkulathors, a thevar sub-sect, are dominant. The party rank and file has reposed faith in the leadership, but chances of disgruntled members jumping ship just ahead of election cannot ruled out, admitted some senior leaders.
On Monday, on her way home from Bengaluru, Sasikala sought to assert herself as the AIADMK general secretary and urged partymen to stay united to ensure that “the common enemy (DMK)” did not get the upper hand. “But (her nephew) T T V Dhinakaran tried to get the government dissolved. Despite that, Edappadi K Palaniswami has been steering the government for four years. He is ready to face anything,” minister O S Manian told reporters in Kancheepuram. The cadres and functionaries felt the crowd that rallied behind Sasikala was ‘orchestrated’ like “any other political meet,” with the sole aim to capture the reins of the AIADMK.
Sasikala has failed to strike a chord with the majority of partymen, say AIADMK leaders. The party is united despite the leadership being firm in not having any tie-up with her, they point out. But amid the fear and nervous anticipation of what is in store in the coming days, partymen are upbeat too. The recent announcement of chief minister Palaniswami waiving crop loan could well be a game changer, they say.