Proxy can never win people’s trust, BJP on Sasikala verdict

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 14

AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala’s conviction has given the BJP many reasons to cheer given its preference for her rival— Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

But given the almost déjà vu-like situation in the state ahead of Uttarakhand elections tomorrow, BJP leaders played safe to dispel  the notion of either the party or the Centre interfering in matters of a state not ruled by it.
So as Sasikala pushed her nominee as the next chief minister, they left it to state Governor C Vidyasagar Rao to resolve the situation on the basis of numbers and credibility.

Welcoming the Supreme Court judgement, they cautioned that a “proxy could never win people’s trust”.
 “It is an important judgment as far as graft in politics is concerned,” BJP leader Ram Madhav said.

“We have no role to play in Tamil Nadu. The BJP has no interest there. To say the BJP or the government of India has a hand in it (Tamil Nadu political situation) is totally false and baseless,” he added.

The Opposition, including the Sasikala’ faction, is alleging otherwise. But BJP’s preference for OPS—as Panneerselvam is referred to as—is hard to miss.

According to party general secretary and Tamil Nadu incharge P Muralidhar Rao, Sasikala may have the advantage of being the AIADMK chief but unlike her mentor— late J Jayalalithaa —she did not have people’s endorsement.“

Sasikala has the advantage of being at the top of the party but she does not have the advantage that Jayalalithaa had—having people’s endorsement. That is a very important factor. By appointing a proxy you can never win people’s trust, which is essential.

“The Governor has to take a call in the context of the Supreme Court’s verdict. It has become a new factor. He cannot go by mere numbers. He has to go by both numbers and credibility. He has to judge as to who is more viable and capable of giving a stable government,” he was quoted as saying.

Uttarakhand, where incumbent Chief Minister Harish Rawat lost his post last year, perceivably due to efforts of the BJP and the Centre, polls tomorrow.

Apparently, there continues to be angst in areas of the hill state over “attempts” to dislodge the  elected chief minister.