EC order revives AIADMK, but bigger challenge ahead
Sivakumar B | TNN | Nov 24, 2017, 06:01 IST
Former leader J Jayalalithaa (file photo)
With the Election Commission favouring the merged EPS-OPS group with the party name and symbol, the AIADMK has been reborn. The badly splintered party that had been fighting to retain its identity, first after a split between V K Sasikala and O Panneerselvam and later rebellion by T T V Dhinakaran, has been rejuvenated by the EC order on Thursday.
The AIADMK's first big challenge without its former leader J Jayalalithaa will be the R K Nagar byelection which is likely to be held before Christmas. AIADMK also has to prepare itself for the civic polls and the L Lok Sabha elections in the next two years. Another big fight for the party is to regain its identity and stature at the national level.
No doubt, the EC order has come as a morale boost for functionaries and cadres in the Edappadi K Palaniswami-Panneerselvam-led AIADMK. But, the real test for the party will be in the poll arena when it is pitted against rivals, including the T T V Dhinakaran group. In the absence of a charismatic leader, going alone in elections would be a poor option and attracting a strong national partner like the BJP or other regional parties could prove tough.
"The EC order is a success for EPS-OPS group in the party's internal conflict. It is a psychological boost for the cadres and party leaders. But, whether it is enough for the party to win elections is the big question," political analyst Badri Seshadri told TOI.
Since Jayalalithaa's death on December 5, 2016, the BJP has played the role of a benefactor for the two erstwhile camps led by CM Palaniswami and deputy CM Panneerselvam. "The EC order is nothing but a reward for the group's loyalty to BJP. But, the party is still in tatters," said political scientist Ramu Manivannan.
The EPS-OPS group has been handed over the symbol without a test of strength either in the assembly or in an election, he pointed out. During the first split in AIADMK in 1987, the EC released the symbol after the 1989 assembly elections when the faction led by Jayalalithaa won a handful of seats and later she took over the party reins. "But in the present case, the EPS-OPS-led government is in a minority," said Manivannan.
Sivakumar B | TNN | Nov 24, 2017, 06:01 IST
Former leader J Jayalalithaa (file photo)
With the Election Commission favouring the merged EPS-OPS group with the party name and symbol, the AIADMK has been reborn. The badly splintered party that had been fighting to retain its identity, first after a split between V K Sasikala and O Panneerselvam and later rebellion by T T V Dhinakaran, has been rejuvenated by the EC order on Thursday.
The AIADMK's first big challenge without its former leader J Jayalalithaa will be the R K Nagar byelection which is likely to be held before Christmas. AIADMK also has to prepare itself for the civic polls and the L Lok Sabha elections in the next two years. Another big fight for the party is to regain its identity and stature at the national level.
No doubt, the EC order has come as a morale boost for functionaries and cadres in the Edappadi K Palaniswami-Panneerselvam-led AIADMK. But, the real test for the party will be in the poll arena when it is pitted against rivals, including the T T V Dhinakaran group. In the absence of a charismatic leader, going alone in elections would be a poor option and attracting a strong national partner like the BJP or other regional parties could prove tough.
"The EC order is a success for EPS-OPS group in the party's internal conflict. It is a psychological boost for the cadres and party leaders. But, whether it is enough for the party to win elections is the big question," political analyst Badri Seshadri told TOI.
Since Jayalalithaa's death on December 5, 2016, the BJP has played the role of a benefactor for the two erstwhile camps led by CM Palaniswami and deputy CM Panneerselvam. "The EC order is nothing but a reward for the group's loyalty to BJP. But, the party is still in tatters," said political scientist Ramu Manivannan.
The EPS-OPS group has been handed over the symbol without a test of strength either in the assembly or in an election, he pointed out. During the first split in AIADMK in 1987, the EC released the symbol after the 1989 assembly elections when the faction led by Jayalalithaa won a handful of seats and later she took over the party reins. "But in the present case, the EPS-OPS-led government is in a minority," said Manivannan.
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