Resort politics has returned to Tamil Nadu. A day after the AIADMK merger, ‘ousted’ Deputy General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran continues to display the support that he commands amongst the MLAs in the party. In attempt to keep his flock together, at least 16 MLAs who support TTV have reportedly been sent to the Windflower resort in Puducherry.
On Tuesday morning, 19 MLAs from the TTV faction met Governor Vidyasagar Rao and submitted individual petitions stating that they did not have confidence in Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and wished to withdraw support to him. They alleged that they were not consulted regarding the merger within the party, while O Panneerselvam who had the support of just 10 MLAs was given prime importance. Following this 16 MLAs reportedly left in cars to the Union territory at around 12 noon.
Three MLAs including Thanga Tamilselvan, Vetrivel and Senthil Balaji, however, stayed back at TTV Dhinakaran's residence in Chennai. Addressing the media there, they alleged members of their faction were being threatened. One MLA from the faction told TNM that they are expecting more leaders from the merged AIADMK faction to join them shortly and talks are underway. They, however, refused to comment on the other MLAs being sent to Puducherry.
"I don't know about the MLAs being taken to Puducherry," said MLA Vetrivel. "If they have gone, what is wrong in that? They are going to safeguard themselves. You can take it however you want," he added.
AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi, who now belongs to the TTV faction told TNM that the number of MLAs on their side has risen to 22 and that they are expecting more leaders to join them. "What we want is for all the factions to come together. Attempts by Edappadi Palaniswami to sideline the General secretary is not acceptable," she added.
The return to resort politics in Tamil Nadu comes as Leader of Opposition and DMK’s working President MK Stalin has demanded that the Governor direct EPS to prove his majority on the floor of the House. In the event of a no-confidence motion being passed, TTV Dhinakaran can potentially pull down the EPS-led government.
In February, following O Panneerselvam’s rebellion against AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala, more than 100 MLAs were packed off to Golden Bay resort in Koovathur. The MLAs had camped out at the resort until Edappadi Palaniswami won the trust vote in the Assembly.