Chennai: If anyone can author a book on political survival it has to be Edappadi K. Palaniswami. The surprise choice as Chief Minister, this not-so-known politician from Salem has not just survived the political challenges thrown at him during his first year as Chief Minister but has also started to assert himself.
When his CM's post was eyed by TTV Dhinakaran, EPS was quick to lead a revolt against his own political master as he turned the majority of MLAs against the Sasikala family. He then patched up with O. Panneerselvam to consolidate his numbers but ensured that he held the upper hand in the power-sharing that followed. Even after TTV won the RK Nagar by-election, he has found it difficult to dislodge EPS as the latter adroitly balanced between the various pressure groups.
Similarly, EPS was quick to bury any misgivings that Delhi might have nursed against him and willingly cooperated in supporting the NDA government on the President's poll, GST and other crucial issues. This non-confrontationist approach was further underlined as the EPS government looked the other way whenever Governor Bhanwarilal Purohit decided to go on his 'reviewing' trips even in the face of criticism from the opposition parties that it breached the protocol of his office.
As an administrator too, EPS has managed quite well. There have been no major law and order issues though there have been protests over NEET, ONGC projects and a bus strike. There have been welcome changes in the education department to improve standards. The 'kudimaramathu' scheme to desilt tanks and lakes helped in tackling the drought. If anything his government can only be faulted for failing to curb the unbridled power of the sand mining lobby. Perhaps there is a need to look at the wide charges of corruption.
