Rift showing as party organ ignores CM news

While blacking out the visit by EPS and his cabinet colleagues, the daily had instead highlighted Sasikala’s statement that all party MLAs and MPs had voted for NDA presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind.  

The online edition dated July 17, also had only two photographs – both dated July10 - where EPS was seen meeting union minister of state for power Piyush Goyal and another where education ministers KA Sengottayan was seen inspecting the Radhakrishnan indoor stadium. 

Political observers here find that as a clear sign of the party general secretary Sasikala’s loyalists having upped the ante against the CM and his cabinet colleagues. When asked about this, political analyst Ravindaran Duraisamy said that it was quite clear that EPS was now being taken head on by deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran. 

“By having control of both Jaya TV and Namadhu MGR, TTV is making it quite clear that he will not support the ruling clique.” Though Dinakaran claimed – after his release from Tihar jail - that he would enter politics full time, he currently maintains a low profile after being advised by general secretary VK Sasikala. According to insiders, he is quite active and he met 7 MLAs including former minister Senthil Balaji on Monday. 

Asked about this, AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi said “I do not want to comment on what could be politically explosive situation.” Former minister Vaigai Selvan said that the recent developments made it clear that the Sasikala group are not supportive of chief minister EPS and his government. He also acknowledged that he was aware of the EPS news blackout by the official party organ.