Discord brewing in AIADMK? More calls for 'one strong leader' vs EPS-OPS formula

Soon after Kunnam MLA RT Ramachandran's interview to a news channel, the AIADMK issued a circular asking party members to refrain from discussing party proceedings in public.
Discord brewing in AIADMK? More calls for 'one strong leader' vs EPS-OPS formula
Discord brewing in AIADMK? More calls for 'one strong leader' vs EPS-OPS formula
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Even while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami has denied that there are internal fights within AIADMK, Madurai MLA VV Rajan Chellappa’s demand for a unified party leadership has gained support from one more MLA, RT Ramachandran from Kunnam Assembly constituency.

“The party members are united but there is a misunderstanding between the two leaders (referring to the CM and Deputy CM Panneerselvam). The very fact that I have come forward to share this with media and not with the party leaders directly is proof enough that there’s no unity within,” said Ramachandran in an exclusive interview to Puthiya Thalaimurai on Sunday.

“We are not saying this to create trouble. We are saying this for the benefit of the party. We need a leader who will dedicate his life for the party just like how MGR and Amma did,” he added.

Referring to Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s ‘Dharma Yudham’, Ramachandran pointed out that it was ironical that by recommending his son, OP Raveendranath Kumar, for the MP seat, he was bringing family politics into the party. “Our disappointment is not that an AIADMK member was denied an MP seat but that we have become incapable of getting our due share. This is mainly because of dual leadership and the inclusion of family politics,” he said.

Soon after the interview was aired, AIADMK issued a three-page circular to its party members, asking them to refrain from discussing party proceedings in public.

“Party members expressing how the party should function through media channels is not welcome. Our actions should not lead the opposition to gain an advantage. We should remember that there have been times when our enemies have wanted to be united like us. These actions might sound frivolous now but the world judges a party based on such actions. Whoever wants to convey their thoughts and suggestions, for the party’s good, should remember that we have an executive committee and general body meetings to do so. Members should refrain from talking about the party’s administration, election results, or decisions made within the party in public,” read the circular.

On Saturday, while addressing the media, Rajan Chellappa had said that the party needed to unite behind one strong leader.

He said, “This party needs to be conducted with discipline by one leader. We need a talented and selfless person, whoever it may be, old or new. It should be someone certified by Amma. Both of them have been certified by Amma. We can see who is better between them or we can look for someone more certified. There is no wrong in that.”

Not wishing to state who this qualified leader would be, the MLA said that there was nothing wrong in someone who can control the party taking up the reins of the Chief Minister as well. The post of Leader of the House leader can also be split, he declared.

On June 12, AIADMK will be convening a meeting of its district secretaries and elected representatives at the head office in Chennai. MLAs, MPs and spokespersons have also been invited to take part in this meeting.

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