TTV rebellion takes shape, to form front 

Will Carry Out A Statewide Tour, Says Dhinakaran

Sivakumar.B@timesgroup.com

Chennai: Newly elected RK Nagar legislator T T V Dhinakaran is set to regroup expelled AIADMK functionaries to float a new front. It is likely to be formed in a fortnight, sources said.

After the AIADMK’s drubbing in the December 21 byelection, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam have been either expelling Dhinakaran’s supporters from the party or removing them from party posts. Dhinakaran on Friday convened a meeting of the expelled leaders and explained plans to float a front to take on the ruling party. He will also carry out a statewide tour.

“He won’t start a political party, because by doing so Dhinakaran will lose his claim over the AIADMK. Also, the rebel MLAs who have been disqualified by the speaker will not get any reprieve from the court if they join any political party,” said a leader in the TTV camp.

The front is expected to open a new office in Chennai and embark on a membership drive. “We have plans for an online membership drive. We are also looking at the possibility of developing a mobile app for this purpose,” a TTV supporter said. “All senior party leaders who support him were present at the meeting. Every sidelined and expelled functionary of the AIADMK will be given some post in the front,” said a supporter from Mannargudi.



Besides the 18, TTV getting support from other MLAs

Apart from the 18 disqualified MLAs, support has been swelling for Dhinakaran from other legislators as well. E Rathinasabapathi of Aranthangi and Vriddhachalam legislator V T Kalaiselvan attended the meeting at Dhinakaran’s residence. Alliance party MLA and actor Karunas, who represents Thiruvadanai, is yet another Dhinakaran supporter.

All three were present when Dhinakaran was sworn in as MLA. Another alliance party MLA Thamimun Ansari, who contested on the AIADMK symbol from Nagapattinam, had sent his representative to attend the swearing-in. Another ally Thaniyarasu, who representd Kangeyam, is still undecided whether to go with the EPS-OPS group or pitch his lot with Dhinakaran. Besides the threat of instability, their vocal support to Dhinakaran within the assembly and outside can cause embarrassment to the government.

The ‘front’, political analysts feel, is a desperate attempt by Dhinakaran to keep his flock together. “At this stage, when he is still fighting for taking control over the AIADMK, Dhinakaran cannot afford to form a new political party. But he cannot keep quiet either when so many of his supporters have been expelled from the AIADMK. At least to keep them happy and show them some direction, he has to give shape to a formation and give them some position in it. Floating a front is perhaps the best option,” said political analyst Ramu Manivannan.

Palaniswami and OPS have so far expelled 175 office-bearers, including 130 on Friday, supporting Dhinakaran fropm the party. Disqualified MLAs too are challenging the party to show them the door.

“EPS and OPS are expelling all our supporters, but are they ready to expel us? I challenge them to expel me or any other MLA who has been disqualified,” said Thangatamilselvan, one of the rebel legislators.