Chennai: Expecting an ‘alliance’ between its archrival DMK and new enemy AMMK after 23 May to topple its government, the AIADMK has chalked out a crisis management plan.
“There will be no problem if we win more than eight seats (in the by-elections to 22 Assembly constituencies) and we are almost sure about posting victory in at least 10 places. But, still, we are ready for the worst case scenario,” says an AIADMK insider.
“Our leaders, including Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, are currently busy with campaigning in four constituencies where polling is scheduled for 19 May. Simultaneously, they have devised an action plan to face any untoward situation and the AIADMK government will complete its full term,” he said.
Asked to elaborate on the strategy, he said, “Nothing much can be revealed at this point of time. But we have friends who will come to our help whenever needed.”
It is learnt that a whip will be issued to AIADMK legislators and the leadership is already in constant touch with the MLAs. “We are confident of getting the support of all our members. But we don’t know how our rivals will get the required numbers,” another source in the party said.
It all started when AMMK propaganda secretary and T T V Dhinakaran’s close aide, Thanga Tamilselvan, declared in Theni Tuesday that the “DMK would have to support his party to send the Edappadi government packing”.
“After winning in 22 Assembly constituencies we will join hands with the DMK and dislodge the present government,” he said. There will definitely be a change in government after 23 May, he added.
Reacting sharply, Palaniswami declared during his poll campaign that the “cat is out of the bag now”.
AIADMK senior K P Munusamy told reporters at Madurai that Tamilselvan’s statement has proved the suspicion that always existed: DMK president Stalin is holding secret parleys with AMMK to somehow topple the government. “They will never succeed,” he insisted.
While Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said the AMMK was the ‘B’ team of the DMK, another senior Minister, Sellur Raju, said Tamilselvan would soon join the DMK.