Chennai
DMK was understood to have exploited the absence of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar (currently touring overseas) to lure AMMK district secretary, who was expected to return to parent party AIADMK. Bharani, brother of Aranthangi MLA Rathinasabapathy, who had deserted TTV Dhinakaran and swore loyalty to the EPS recently, was in the radar of the ruling AIADMK.
In fact, Vijaya Baskar who was instrumental in winning back the loyalty of Rathinasabapathy had even revived contact with Bharani to bring him back to the parent party. However, the DMK has poured cold water on the plans of AIADMK by accommodating Bharani, thanks to the appointment of Thanga Tamilselvan and VP Kalairajan as propaganda and literary wing secretaries, both State-level posts, by Stalin recently. Among various factors, the reward given to Thanga Tamilselvan and Kalairajan was understood to have helped the negotiators in getting the MLA’s brother to accept the defection deal.
Also, the ‘help’ offered by the principal Opposition party to the MLA in facing the notices sent by the Assembly Speaker earlier was also crucial in convincing him. Informed sources in DMK admitted that even Rathinasabapathy was a part of their plan till Vijaya Baskar turned out to be the deal breaker. Going by sources, the DMK has made up for Rathinasabapathy by getting Bharani on board. Bharani was only the most recent from TTV’s AMMK, the breakaway faction of the AIADMK, to come calling to Anna Arivalayam.
Significantly, any immediate reward for Bharani would disturb peace in the DMK ranks, more so after the recent appointment of Thanga Tamilselvan and Kalairajan raised eyebrows among a few old-timers. Even critics were expressing concern over the DMK leadership rewarding newcomers and defectors while the old guard have been enduring a tiresome wait for elevation in the party hierarchy. Stalin, however, did the balancing act by accommodating a restless Tamilselvan as propaganda secretary, instead of making the boss of Theni district.
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