Side-effects of AIADMK unrest

There is little possibility of a truce between the two factions of the AIADMK. This leaves the BJP in a dilemma as to which side to ally with

- RADHIKA RAMASESHAN

A hint of a churn within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the past, and the "big brother" Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stepped in to sort out the impending turmoil and ensure that Tamil Nadu's principal Opposition party stayed united. The BJP could not countenance the idea of a split in the AIADMK between the competing factions led by former chief ministers O Panneerselvam (OPS) and Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), each of whom was convinced that he had the "right" to the political legacy of J Jayalalithaa. It is believed that in December 2016, following Jayalalithaa's death, the "compromise of convenience" struck between having OPS as coordinator and EPS as joint coordinator resulted from the BJP's intervention and exertion.

EPS never concealed his resentment at the idea of having a "dual leadership" to oversee the AIADMK and waited to strike back, unmindful of the BJP's watchful gaze. He mobilised a seemingly unassailable majority against OPS, organised a show of strength at the AIADMK's general council meeting on July 11 this year, terminated the dual leadership norm, amended the AIADMK's constitution, which was later submitted to the Election Commission, and expelled OPS and his supporters.