CHENNAI: The principal opposition, DMK is likely to vote against the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami and its alliance partner Congress too have given indications that it will go along with the DMK. Although, DMK working president M.K. Stalin greeted the new Chief Minister, he had clearly stated that the new government is unlikely to solve the problems of the state and the state of paralysis would continue.
Stalin had further stated that the new Chief Minister would be controlled by the power centre in Bangalore, in an apparent reference to AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala, who had nominated Palanisami for the post. The DMK leader had also made it clear that both the factions are its rivals and there is no question of supporting the Panneerselvam camp now, since a motion of confidence will be moved by Palanisami.
Besides, the DMK need not worry about the fall of the government and dissolution of the government, since Assembly elections would give it a chance to regain power in the state. The DMK could not be faulted for voting against its rival AIADMK, which it had been strongly opposing for decades and it is not the responsibility of the DMK to save the government, a DMK MLA said.
The Congress had not come to the support of the AIADMK and senior leaders like former Union Minister P. Chidambaram and former TNCC president E.V.K.S. Elangovan had opposed any such move. Congress sources said it would not support the AIADMK, since the alliance with the DMK is continuing. One of the functionaries also said no one from the AIADMK had approached them for support and such a question did not arise. The lone Muslim League MLA would also go along with the DMK’s decision.
