Mixed voices over AIADMK’s Chief Minister choice

Speaking to reporters at Kaveripattinam in Krishnagiri, former Minister KP Munusamy asked the party high command to retract its decision to make Sasikala the Chief Minister. “When neither the people nor the party accepted her fully, what is the need to force her to take up the chief minister’s post?” he wanted to know.  That her ascension has come as a bolt from the blue can be gauged from the fact that the party headquarters which usually witnesses boisterous scenes on such occasions was very quiet after the announcement. 

Though most expected Sasikala to take over, nobody thought it would be so soon. That the party need to reinvent itself was felt when spokesman C Ponnaiyan said “the party will also have to take cognisance of the proposed tour programme of Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar who plans to announce her political entry on February 24, Jayalalithaa’s birthday.” 

“While Sasikala’s position is similar to that faced by Jayalalithaa after former chief minister MG Ramachandran’s death, she is also hoping on the proverbial short memory of the public to ensure that when she ascends the post, the virulent opposition she faces now would have simmered down somewhat,” said a former MLA seeking anonymity.  Three-time AIADMK MLA and former Mayor of Coimbatore Corporation T Malaravan has asked the newly elected party general secretary V K Sasikala to win people’s mandate before taking over as the Chief Minister of the state. 

Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said, “The selection of Sasikala as general secretary itself created dissatisfaction among certain sections of the cadre. Even before the heat and dust over that issue settled, she is planning to take over as the Chief Minister.” The former Mayor added, “the public voted only for late J Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister. 

AIADMK party cadre have not accepted Sasikala as their leader yet.” He felt that what was the urgency for Sasikala to become the Chief Minister when the SC had said that it would deliver its verdict in the disproportionate assets case by next week. 

“State Ministers are extending support to Sasikala to retain their posts,” he said and alleged “O Panneerselvam was threatened to step down from the post of Chief Minister.” The Deepa supporter added that the AIADMK would face defeat in the local body election. On the other hand, he said, “support for Deepa is on the rise among the party cadre and public as well.”

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said people of Tamil Nadu have a right to ask if Sasikala deserves to be chief minister. He made a series of tweets on the latest political situation in Tamil Nadu, a day after AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala was elected leader of the legislature party paving way for her to become Chief Minister. 

“Looking back with pride, TN CM chair was occupied by Kamaraj and Anna. AIADMK and PEOPLE OF TAMILNADU are now moving in opposite directions,” he tweeted. In another tweet, he said, “It is the right of AIADMK MLAs to elect their leader adding, “it is the right of the people to ask if the leader deserves to be CM.” However, TNCC chief Su Thirunavukkarasar has said Sasikala’s elevation was an internal party matter, adding, she was elected by the party MLAs.