Reporter’s Diary: Vow of silence lifted, leaders vocal like never before

The same leaders, who stayed mum and studiously avoided any open interaction with reporters earlier, were seen enjoying the limelight after the massive victory in the two bypolls, briefing the media on an hourly basis as soon as the trend was clear. AIADMK convenor and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam interacted with the press thrice within a span of 14 hours. Going a step ahead, OPS said the party was all ready to face the civic body polls – a test that the ruling party was allegedly dodging till now – and hinted that the elections could be held by December.  Echoing this confidence, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, the joint convenor of the party, told the media at the Coimbatore airport that he was looking forward to the local body poll schedule to be announced by the State Election Commission. Earlier in the day, an upbeat EPS had met the reporters at the party headquarters in Chennai.

Senior leader and Cabinet Minister D Jayakumar, who has emerged as the party spokesperson in the recent years, was active as usual during the day of bypoll counting, sharing jokes and quips, while Law Minister and Villupuram strongman CVe Shanmugam, who managed the party poll campaign in Vikravandi, also met the local reporters in Villupuram taking pot shots at arch rival DMK.