The rustic strongman

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami lacks the aura of his charismatic predecessors. But his unassuming persona masks his unmatched survival skills and sharp political mind

- LAKSHMI SUBRAMANIAN

On January 14, Pongal eve, Tamil Nadu was gearing up to celebrate the harvest festival after a year marred by the Covid-19 pandemic. But, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami was busy at work, reviewing whether every household had benefited from the government’s festival largesse of 02,500. He was also seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get him to inaugurate a grand beach memorial for former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Clad in his trademark white dhoti and shirt with sleeves rolled up, the 66-year-old Palaniswami appeared affable and down to earth as he sat down with THE WEEK for an exclusive interview. But, he was strict about following Covid protocols. A glass barrier on his desk separated him from visitors. And he declined requests, by Deputy Photo Editor Bhanu Prakash Chandra, to remove his two-ply face mask. “I advocate that people should wear masks. I am particular that I practice what I preach,” he said. “But you may ask me any number of questions—about me, my governance. I am ready to answer.”

Palaniswami opened up about a number of issues such as the corruption charges leveled against him by the opposition, his tenuous ties with Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s delicate balancing act with the BJP. He may not be articulate or charismatic like his predecessors M.G. Ramachandran or Jayalalithaa but hidden behind his unassuming personality are unmatched survival skills, incredible resilience, and a sharp political mind, which have given him control over the party and the government.