Chennai: With the ruling AIADMK (Amma) split into smaller groups, the Congress senses a chance of getting a good chunk of the party votes even if the BJP brings Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam together before the Presidential elections.
The Chief Minister who lacks the command and charisma to control the party has an uphill task of keeping his flock together. It is doubtful if Palanisami could ensure that the AIADMK MPs and MLAs vote en bloc for BJP candidate since various groups are functioning independently. TNCC president S. Thirunavukkarasar, who has spent more than two decades in the AIADMK and has close friends in the ruling party, is keenly watching the developments.
If the Congress high command wants to bring more support to the common candidate of the Opposition, Thirunavukkarasar could be able to bring the votes of AIADMK MPs and MLAs, a functionary in the Congress said.
The move would have the support of ally DMK which would always welcome a split in the AIADMK as it could impact the stability of the state government, he added. Political analysts feel Palanisami would not be able to dictate to his MLAs and MPs to vote for the BJP. Political commentator Govi. Lenin said “Palanisami is the leader of the state government and he can only convey to the MLAs and MPs, the demands of BJP.
He could at the most explain the adverse consequences the party will face if the MLAs and MPs refused to support the BJP in the Presidential polls”.
Supporters of Sasikala would think twice about voting against BJP as such a move could bring more trouble to them from the Union government. The national leadership of the Congress needs to assure strong protection to them if it wanted to secure the backing of Sasikala supporters and those who resent Palanisami at the helm.
Palanisami has desisted from criticising Centre and he has built a good rapport with the Centre. However, the big question is if the ruling party which has several pressure groups, besides the supporters of party general secretary V.K. Sasikala and deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran will vote as a single block or show their divisions during the Presidential elections.
Splitting of votes in such an election is unlikely to trigger the state government's fall and loss of MLA posts. Besides, the violation of party whip is also unlikely to have an impact since the party could not expel its legislators at the present circumstances.
