AIADMK Heading for a Split as MGR Faction Emerges, Rattles Sasikala

AIADMK leaders associated with founder MGR are grouping together to take on the Sasikala faction in the party. The party may be heading for a split

The Sasikala faction of the AIADMK today received a huge jolt when Madhusudanan, a senior party leader associated with MGR and the formation of the party, switched over to the O Paneerselvam camp. Earlier, former speaker P H Pandian, another party leader associated with MGR, had joined OPS in his battle against Sasikala.

With these moves, the AIADMK seems to be heading for a split with an MGR faction of party founders coming together to take on Sasikala and her Mannargudi gang.

The move to revive the memories of party founder and the legendary MGR is a clever one by acting Chief Minister O Paneerselvam. Sasikala cannot claim the legacy of MGR because she was not associated with the party in its formative period. Her association with Jayalalithaa is now under a cloud as serious doubts have emerged of her role in the death of the former chief minister.

So in one move, OPS has claimed the legacy of MGR and Amma. He has made it clear that Sasikala is unfit to head the party and the state and if she takes over, it would be a blot on democracy.

Madhusudanan said to protect the legacy of MGR and the memory of Amma, all party workers must join hands with OPS.

Meanwhile, OPS hit back at Sasikala by reinstating all the sacked bureaucrats and officials. He has also ordered the police to find out if the AIADMK MLAs have been held prisoners by the Sasikala faction.

In another related development, Governor Vidyasagar Rao, who has been nick-named as Vanishing Governor,  is finally landing in Chennai. O Paneerselvam is scheduled to meet him at around 5 pm and two hours later Sasikala will meet Rao.

All eyes are on the decision that the Governor is likely to take. He has two options: 1. Delay a decision till the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on Sasikala’s disproportionate assets case. 2. Swear in Sasikala and ask her to prove her majority on the floor of the house.

OPS may not be able to withdraw his letter of resignation as the Governor has already accepted the same.  He may strongly put forth a point that the AIADMK MLAs have been kidnapped by Sasikala and locked up in a resort. But the Governor cannot do much on this as a floor test is a must.