Tamilnadu politics is witnessing high drama with the Opposition AIADMK experiencing a power struggle between the camps of Edapaddi Palaniswamy (EPS) and O Panneerselvam (OPS). The latter walked out of the party’s general council meeting after it stuck to the single leadership demand and favoured his rival EPS. OPS along with his supporters including deputy secretary R Vaithilingam moved out of the hall and left the premises. The meet which witnessed chaotic scenes was over within 40 minutes after it started.
At the GC, all members rejected all the 23 resolutions and the only demand of GC members is on single leadership. When the next general committee meeting is convened, all these along with resolutions for single leadership will be adopted, Munusamy declared. Though the Madras High Court had restrained making any amendments to the party bye-laws (on unitary leadership), the decibel levels were strong and high as the GC members hailed EPS as the sole leader to lead the party.
Before leaving the venue, former Minister and Deputy Coordinator R Vaithilingam, a loyalist of OPS, termed the meeting as illegal and said the announcement of next GC was illegal as it could not be convened without the consent and signature of OPS. He also said that ‘conspirators’ are leading the party to the path of destruction. Battle lines are drawn. Let’s see what unfolds.