Reporters Diary: ‘Two Leaves’ symbol and a possible ministerial musical chair

While the top leaders of the ruling AIADMK faction are optimistic of getting the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol, some of the senior leaders, including a few ministers, may not be happy over such a possibility as reports have emerged that several of them might be dropped from the Cabinet when the case comes to a close.

It is said that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is not happy with some of the ministers who are speaking in public in a such way that brings down the reputation of the government and causes embarrassment to him. One of the ministers, KT Rajendra Balaji, had openly declared that the ruling faction would obtain ‘Two Leaves’ symbol from the Election Commission since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supporting them.

One of the junior MLAs said the Chief Minister had received reports that some of the ministers had spoken to rival leader VK Sasikala during her visit to Chennai on parole. The ministers whose positions are precarious include ‘Sellur’ K Raju, RB Udhayakumar, V. Saroja, Nilofer Kafeel, Udumalai Radhakrishnan, Balakrishna Reddy and C Vijaya Baskar, according to some of the junior MLAs who also hope to get a berth in the new ministry.

The Chief Minister is reluctant to act on them now, since he thinks that they may join the rival group, headed by TTV Dinakaran if they are sacked. But, once he gets ‘Two Leaves’ symbol, his faction would get full control of the party and no one would think of quitting the official AIADMK. Radhakrishnan, Balakrishna Reddy and Raju are considered by the Chief Minister as supporters of Sasikala.

Vijaya Baskar and Saroja face too many charges of corruption, while Nilofer Kafeel had contradicted senior Minister KC Veeramani from her own district Vellore on the issue of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s treatment. Kafeel had said she had seen Jayalalithaa, while the senior minister had said they were not allowed to see her.