On January 27, as the Parappana Agrahara prison authorities in Bengaluru completed the formalities and released former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary V.K. Sasikala, the two men who lead the Tamil Nadu government and the AIADMK—Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and his deputy O. Panneerselvam—were inaugurating a memorial to former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa. By excluding Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s long-time companion, Palaniswami and Panneerselvam were making it clear that they intend to keep her out of the AIADMK. But Sasikala and her supporters led by her nephew T.T.V. Dhinakaran are unlikely to give in without a fight. “If we get a massive victory in the assembly polls, we can retain power the way it is now. If not, Palaniswami and Panneerselvam will not be able to handle the AIADMK’s political future. Then we will need a strong leader,” said a senior minister, hinting at Sasikala’s return.
The upcoming elections are a do-or-die battle for the AIADMK and its main rival, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led by former chief minister M. Karunanidhi's son, M.K. Stalin. Fringe players like actor Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam and film director Seeman’s Nam Thamilar Katchi, too, will find it difficult to stay relevant unless they put up a credible performance.
This story is from the February 21, 2021 edition of THE WEEK.
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This story is from the February 21, 2021 edition of THE WEEK.
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