Chennai: EPS, OPS work individually, rift widens

CHENNAI: The political estrangement between AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami has taken a new turn. The two leaders have been issuing their individual statements. This has been evident, more so after EPS was made the leader of opposition.
On Monday, Panneerselvam demanded that chief minister M K Stalin act against DMK partymen, who allegedly intimidated the civic staff in Chennai asking them to remove the Covid field staff and appoint their men.
Hours later, the former deputy CM took to his official Twitter handle to thank Stalin after an assurance was made by Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner Gagandeep Sigh Bedi that existing staff would not be removed. “I thank the chief minister,” OPS tweeted. Palaniswami's statements in his capacity as leader of the opposition, be it to seek Covid relief for unorganised workers or to demand action against Cuddalore GH staff for lapses, came from the party headquarters and was uploaded on AIADMK's official Twitter handle.
EPS shot off letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Panneerselvam’s statements don’t carry the name of co-coordinator (EPS), instead it comes from his office or uploaded on his Twitter handle. They urge action against fleecing ambulances, condole bereaved families of health workers, welcome the state’s decision to shut down Tasmac outlets or seek availability of drugs for mucormycosis, the black fungal infection and demand adequate vaccines.
The leaders had issued joint statements only to expel former minister Nilofer Kafeel from the primary membership of the party, and to warn partymen against anti-party activities. “As party leaders, OPS and EPS are supposed to take stock of the poll debacle and call for reports from the district secretaries and take corrective action. Amma would have taken such steps. Now both leaders prefer sending statements on their own, seeking the limelight,” said a senior leader. Most of the elected MLAs followed Palaniswami after the oath taking event at Kalaivanar Arangam on May 11. Panneerselavam found a lone supporter in Paul Manoj Pandian, the Alangulam MLA.
Lack of support of his own partymen and the huge clout of the former ministers-cum-district secretaries has left Panneerselvam isolated. Senior leaders say that none of his former supporters are on good terms with him since he did not campaign much outside his home turf, Theni district, where he was the lone winner. “OPS has built a defensive wall around him ever since he lost the posts of chief ministerial candidate and the leader of opposition to Palaniswami,” said an associate. Panneerselvam, along with former speaker P Dhanapal, represented the AIADMK during the swearing-in ceremony of the 34-member Stalin’s cabinet on May 7, and shared a table with Stalin later.