It takes two to tango

For the first time in recent political history of Tamil Nadu, the state has two power centers. While Chief Minister O Panneerselvam heads the government and holds Fort St George, VK Sasikala who will be taking charge as AIADMK General Secretary (GS) on Saturday will run the ruling party from her Poes Garden residence and the party office in Royapettah.

In the past, both positions (heading the party and heading the government) were usually occupied by the top leader which in the DMK meant M Karunanidhi and in the AIADMK it was first MG Ramachandran and later, Jayalalithaa. These leaders had such charisma that no one else could compete with them for the post. 

Political analyst T George said that while VK Sasikala may be the unanimous choice for party GS by the cadre, she cannot run for the post of Chief Minister unless she has the people’s mandate. “Even now her party post is not assured, as party rules say that all party cadre have to vote to choose her. 

This was not necessary in MGR and Jayalalithaa’s cases as they had no opposition. However, Sasikala might have to finally opt for a party election. Rebel party MP Sasikala Pushpa, husband Lingeswara Thilgan and another AIADMK general council member from Mumbai have already challenged authority and the have also promised to approach the courts to claim their right to contest,” said George. 

Political observer A Marx also concurred with this view. Stating that existence of dual power centres was not an extraordinary situation, he said. 

However, he felt that if Sasikala tried to take over Panneerselvam’s post, it could lead to political suicide with the party fragmenting due to factionalism rearing its head. “However, I feel that both will play it safe and be extra careful in their dealing with each other as they know they have another four years plus for the present dispensation to complete its term,” he said. 

Critic Aazhi Senthilnathan however said that the CM could be made powerless as was the case of the centre during Congress rule. “Sasikala is a significant power centre. OPS will have less leverage if Sasikala decides so. It may be like Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh in the erstwhile UPA where if Sonia wanted to make Rahul PM, Manmohan Singh would have eased himself out without demurring,” he said. Problems may arise in the way Tamil Nadu is governed, but that has nothing to do with dual power roles,” he said.