A party loyalist in the limelight
Dhanapal
Dhanapal’s string of electoral wins testify to his popularity in western region
If the Sasikala group’s ploy of projecting Speaker P. Dhanapal as their choice of Chief Minister succeeds, the senior leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) might create history by becoming the first Dalit Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Dhanapal has remained a loyal man since the days of MGR and emerged as the Dalit face of the party under the leadership of Jayalalithaa.
He became an important leader, which was evident from his being fielded as a candidate in Assembly elections ever since the party jumped into the poll fray for the first time in 1977.
The list of candidates fielded by the AIADMK in the May 2016 Assembly elections included five leaders considered as senior most in the election scenario – ‘Panrutti’ S. Ramachandran, C. Ponnaiyan, S. Semmalai, Mr. Dhanapal and K. A. Sengottaiyan.
All of them were fielded as candidates by late MGR in the Assembly elections fought by the AIADMK for the first time in 1977.
Student days
Mr. Dhanapal joined the AIADMK in his student days as soon as MGR launched the party, breaking away from the DMK in 1972.
He was only 26 when MGR fielded him from Sankagiri (reserved) constituency in Salem district in the 1977 Assembly elections.
He won with a 21,000-vote margin over his DMK rival. He won from Sankagiri again in 1980 and 1984with handsome margins.
After the split in the party following the death of MGR, Mr. Dhanapal threw his weight behind Jayalalithaa, constested from Sankagiri for the fourth time, but lost. This, however, was the only defeat he suffered in his four decade-long political career.
His popularity in the western belt could be gauged from his wins from Rasipuram (reseved) constituency in the neighbouring Namakkal district in 2011 and Avinashi (reserved) constituency in Tirupur district in 2016.
Jayalalithaa recognised his presence by including him in the Cabinet and allotting the vital food portfolio for a few years in her 2001-06 regime. He was elected Deputy Speaker in 2011 and elevated as Speaker in October 2012, becoming the first Dalit to occupy this post since 1955.
Born into the Arundathiar community in Karuppur village in Salem district, Mr. Dhanapal has kept a low profile all through, despite being one of the senior most in party. And, this has been to his advantage, say his supporters.
A senior leader of the party stated that Mr. Dhanapal had a rich political experience by remaining in the party since his student days. It was his loyalty to the party that made Jayalalithaa honour him with important posts such as Minister, Deputy Speaker and the Speaker.
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