OPS-EPS slugfest: Confused party cadre wait and watch

Since Saturday, the residences of CM and deputy CM is calm with a few police personnel. Frequent visits by DT Next revealed that while the ministers and senior functionaries are shuttling in and out of bungalows, the cadre and field level office-bearers are staying away from the high-profile area.

“AIADMK convenor and Deputy CM Panneerselvam has thrown a spanner into the wish of Chief Minister Palaniswami. The CM is keen on becoming the party general secretary so that he can be the CM candidate for the upcoming Assembly polls and a battery of Ministers were dispatched on Saturday to convey the same. But, an upset OPS initially maintained silence but blasted at a few Ministers and AIADMK seniors who had advocated the CM’s wish,” an informed party senior told DT Next.

“Did I raised the issue (CM candidate). First sack the Minister who raked this up, then come to me. I am the party convenor and I know what to do and when to do,” thundered OPS, recalled the AIADMK source.

Though team EPS comprising Ministers from the western region has clipped the wings of OPS and his team, the ‘dharmayutham nayagan’ who settled to be the deputy of EPS is now showing resistance, the source noted.

“Palaniswami wants to strengthen the party ahead of the release of jailed AMMK leader VK Sasikala. Though the party is aware that some may jump ships ahead of polls, EPS is confident of keeping his flock together. The CM who has safeguarded the AIADMK regime is eying the post of general secretary and wishes to be announced as the CM candidate,” said an AIADMK MLA. “I am receiving calls from both the sides and I don’t know how to react, but I am hoping that all the factions of AIADMK, including the ousted Sasikala family are reunited ahead of the next year Assembly polls,” the MLA added.