We have recently seen the turn of events in Maharastra which led to the downfall of the ruling party Maha Vikas Aghadi and Udhav Thackery.
Similar Political turmoil has ensued in another state Tamil Nadu.
This time targeting the opposition party AIADMK.
Amid infighting in the All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazgham (AIADMK), a total of 16 resolutions were passed in the crucial general council meeting on Monday, 11 July, including a resolution to expel O Pannerselvam (OPS) and his supporters from the party.
The principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu is facing its biggest challenge in the absence of charismatic leaders at the helm.
Ahead of the meeting, factions of EPS and OPS clashed outside the party headquarters, leading to a lathi-charge by the police.
Why was Pannerselvam removed?
There are many reasons for his removal.
After the demise of Jayalalithaa in 2016, the party has been following a dual-leadership formula with EPS as co-coordinator and OPS as coordinator. The clamour has been growing louder for a single leader in the party since the district secretary meeting on June 14 this year.
But the major thread that runs is that he has broken party rules and sided with the DMK.
There are multiple appeals by various leaders, who accused Panneerselvam of hobnobbing with the ruling DMK and acting against the interests of the party for selfish reasons.
Various party members like former state minister and AIADMK leader Kadambur Raju said that OPS has a “double-faced and he did not want anyone to have a good life”. “He is jealous…saying so from my experience. I am happy that he is out now.”
What is the current status of AIADMK?
After HC allowed Tamil Nadu’s main opposition party to hold its General Council meeting this began the string of setbacks for the party’s former coordinator OPS who had petitioned the court for a stay.
The HC also said the court cannot interfere in the squabbles of a political party, while rejecting Paneerselvam’s plea.
His Rival Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) was Unanimously elected as the party’s interim General Secretary.
The elections for the post of a permanent general secretary will be held within four months
A resolution was also passed to end the dual-leadership structure in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
The second resolution sought a Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour for E V Ramasamy ‘Periyar’ and C N Annadurai and the later chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
Now EPS is the sole one in charge of the party.
This was reflected as the party changed its display picture on Twitter to one with only EPS in it. EPS has also formally submitted the amended AIADMK Party Constitution in the General Council Meet.
OPS’s Reaction
Pannerselvam believes that he has been wronged and has stated that he will challenge the decision in court.
Tamil Nadu’s political hangs by a thread and might get even worse, as OPS, miserably outnumbered in popular support within the party, drags the affairs to the courts and the Election Commission of India.
Credits:- The Print, The Quint, The First Post and Deccan Herald.
Featured Image Credits:- Deccan Herald
