Rift widens as OPS’s list of dist secys ‘stonewalled’ by EPS

Ahead of the party executive committee meeting on September 28, several leaders wanted to sort out the differences during last week’s meeting, but they were not able to break the ice between the two AIADMK leaders.

“The delay in deciding the CM candidate has widened the rift between Team OPS and EPS and this had now led to the delay of appointing new district secretaries,” a highly placed AIADMK senior told DT Next.

As of now, Chief Minister has the support of maximum district secretaries and OPS is keen on getting the coveted district secretary posts for some of his supporters. “The secondary level leaders and ministers are now again shuttling between the residence of EPS and OPS seeking a consensus on CM candidate,” the source said.

Last week, AIADMK leaders R Vaithilingam and CV Shanmugham in the party close door meeting admitted that the government was stable, but the party has weakened with cadres and functionaries feeling alienated from the AIADMK, the source said.

Several party MLAs, who are upset with the kongu region ministers are likely to express their dissent during the upcoming executive committee meeting, said another AIADMK office-bearer who is gearing up for the executive committee meeting. There are also WhatsApp rumours and select ‘news leak’ by a section of ministers stating that OPS has given up the race for CM candidature and will become the party general secretary in the general council scheduled to meet in October, the AIADMK functionary said.

Meanwhile the AIADMK leaders OPS and EPS have also started meeting the party cadres and functionaries as part of party strengthening works.