Chennai: A bomb was ticking in the AIADMK and it was prevented from going off in the last minute, at least for the time being, by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, the joint coordinator and coordinator of the party, respectively.
The trouble this time for the ruling party was from E Madhusudhanan, its presidium chairman. And the reason was – a fresh twist to his age-old fight with Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar.
Both North Chennai strongmen of the party, Madhusudhanan and Jayakumar were not in good terms for a long time.
Madhusudhanan had earlier accused Jayakumar of causing his defeat in the RK Nagar by-election (the same by-poll in which the party’s rebel leader TTV Dhinkaran emerged triumphant).
Now, the just-concluded cooperatives elections in North Chennai turf have paved the way for the fresh battle.
According to circles close to Madhusudhanan, Jayakumar and his men were not allowing others to win the polls. However, the charge was vehemently denied by Jayakumar camp.
“This is a baseless allegation,” a source close to Jayakumar said, while the Minister himself has downplayed the issues, saying “all is well in the AIADMK and there are no differences.”
But Madhusudhanan was not ready to take things light and he was about to hold a press meet this noon, to “announce an important decision.”
However, sensing trouble, Panneerselvam held talks with Madhusudhanan and pacified him last night.
Senior Miniser S P Velumani too met the presidium chairman and suggested a compromise forumla, it is learnt. And this morning, Madhusudhanan was invited by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to his residence where the peace pipe was finally smoked by the warring leaders.
Following this, Madhusudhanan called off his press meet and it ls learnt another round of talks were scheduled later this evening at the AIADMK headquarters, where both EPS and OPS would participate.
Madhusudhanan’s supporters say this is only a temporary arrangement and their leader will take a “permanent decision” based on how things shape in the days to come.