Year before polls, AIADMK's hand full with issues

Chennai

The list of issues goes on with the proposed possession of Jayalalithaa’s assets, including the Poes Garden bungalow, the release of late leader’s aide VK Sasikala from jail, pending 11 MLAs disqualification case, involving Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, the mysterious murder cases related to Kodanad bungalow, retired IG Pon Manickavel’s investigation on missing idols and a few scam allegations levelled by the DMK against the Local Administration Minister SP Velumani and the controversial CBI raid at the residence of Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar in connection with the Gutkha scam.

Yes, there are issues for the party to resolve ahead of next elections, admits an AIADMK senior leader. “The party is confident of clearing the 11 MLAs disqualification case when the matter comes before the Supreme Court. Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal has instructed Assembly secretary to keep the records and responses from the MLAs ready. Further, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had also written a letter to the Speaker in this regard. The apex court in the previous ruling has upheld the Speaker’s decision so this case will be closed as per merits,” he observed adding that some of the cases against the Ministers are foisted by the opposition DMK and are being legally dealt. Only coronavirus and the absence of Jayalalithaa will be an issue for us, quipped the party senior. “In the case of Sasikala’s release, we have to wait and see for the political developments. The AMMK functionaries are hoping for her release by next January. There are a few MLAs still loyal to Sasikala,” said an AIADMK MLA.

“At least four AIADMK Ministers have several cases pending against them booked by the DVAC and CBI in the recent years and these cases are pending before various courts,” said ousted AIADMK leader KC Palaniswami. The party had also lost several good workers like Senthil Balaji, Thangathamizh Selvan and P Palaniappan due to infighting. The party leaders should now take steps to address these issues and appoint a general secretary who can lead the ruling party against the MK Stalin led DMK.

Time is running out for the AIADMK and they have to address the dissents and the controversies, opined the former MP adding that the party should convene the general body meeting, which is due for the past two years. “With just nine months to go for the next general Assembly polls, the ruling AIADMK will face a challenge due to coronavirus crisis. And the pandemic issue will supersede all other political issues of the AIADMK,” opined political commentator R Mani. In my view, the problems faced by the AIADMK due to factions and cases booked by the CBI will fizzle out by next year as coronavirus and the economic crisis will be a bigger subject. The cases pending against a few Ministers may help the BJP-led Centre to wrest more number of Assembly seats from its ally, AIADMK, Mani said.

HURDLES BEFORE 2021 BATTLE

• Disqualification case against 11 AIADMK MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam
• Release of Jayalalithaa’s aide VK Sasikala from Bengaluru prison
• Possession of Poes Garden bungalow and the opposition from J Deepa, niece of former CM Jayalalithaa
• Pending CBI case against state Health Minister Vijaya Baskar
• DVAC case against Minister SP Velumani