The 2019 Lok Sabha election has been a huge disappointment to the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu which teamed with the BJP, PMK and other smaller parties to face the DMK alliance. From 37 seats in 2014, the AIADMK has been reduced to just one seat. The party now hopes that it's sole winner P Raveendrananth Kumar, son of O Paneerselvam who won from Theni, is made a Minister of State. Sources say that a meeting in the capital on Saturday is likely to seal the deal.
Raveendranath, according to sources, has requested to become the Minister of State in either the Communications, Aviation or Fertilisers Ministry. However, the BJP is apparently considering a post for him in Ministry of Shipping. The post was earlier held by BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan who faced an embarassing defeat in the Kanyakumari constituency this time.
"He wanted a post in Aviation or Fertilisers but the BJP wants to replace Pon Radhakrishnan," says an AIADMK source. "It is a good portfolio. He will be going to Delhi along with CM on Saturday to meet the leaders at the Centre," he adds.
With the AIADMK having been a staunch ally of the NDA despite the fierce criticism it recieved from all quarters of the state, it is certain that Narendra Modi will accommodate the young AIADMK MP into his cabinet.
With 5,04,813 votes, Raveendranath managed to gain 43.02% of the total votes in Theni constituency. Next in line with less than 8000 votes away was EVKS Elangovan from the Congress. The AIADMK's massive loss has also been attributed to its decision to ally with the BJP, which is accused of neglecting the interests of Tamil Nadu by the opposition.
In the bye-polls however, the party put up a tough fight to win 9 of the 22 constituencies it constested in. With these numbers, it managed to secure the state assembly for the time period.