AIADMK: A war of castes, that may work to the benefit of rival DMK

Vibha Sharma

New Delhi, July 11

What Tamil Nadu is witnessing currently is also a fight between two caste groups which had come to dominate the AIADMK after the death of party supremo J Jayalalithaa. 

The state’s principal opposition party and the BJP ally on Monday elected Edappady K Palaniswami (EPS) as the interim general secretary, vesting in him full powers to helm the organisation, sidelining O Panneerselvam (OPS). 

The Executive Committee and the General Council of the party endorsed scrapping the positions of coordinator and joint coordinator held by OPS and EPS, respectively.

In other words, EPS is the “supreme leader” of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu ally, for now.

After Jayalalithaa passed away, the AIADMK had formed a joint leadership with EPS representing the western region and the Gounders and OPS, the south and the Thevars, to maintain a balance of power and inclusivity. 

EPS is a Gounder while OPS is a Maravar, a sub-caste of Thevars. 

The split between the two sides is expected to benefit the DMK, say observers.

Ally BJP, which needs AIADMK to fulfil its southern dreams, is watching closely.

Calling his expulsion invalid, OPS said he would move the court. 

As the fight for the party and its ‘two leaves’ symbol begins, it remains to be seen whether the EPS side, which is more powerful than the OPS one, is inclined towards forming an alliance with the saffron party. 

Apparently, several senior leaders believe the saffron connection is not working well for the party’s image.