West Tamil Nadu MLAs may bargain hard

Though the party sent feelers to a senior Kongu Nadu Vellala Gounder MLA and former minister, the party is also targeting this community’s legislators, who are dissatisfied with the current dispensation. Sasikala on her part also called this senior and requested him not to confuse the issue further. With the AIADMK strength now 135 in the assembly, the DMK feels that only if one third (45) MLAs walkout of the AIADMK will they be able to escape becoming victims of the anti-defection law. But, what has given double-minded legislators a pause is the fact that “though the DMK might welcome them now, they will be unable to cope with that party’s district secretaries who are established with their own fiefdoms and which they will be loath to give up for the newcomers” said political analyst T George. 

“Jayalalithaa’s policy of keeping MLAs on tenterhooks by lifting them to high posts and dumping them when they went against her wishes at least allowed us to enjoy some freedom” said an MLA who refused to be quoted.  “MLAs from the Vellala Gounder community are totally opposed to the party general secretary’s post going to somebody from the Mukulathor community to which CM Paneerselvam belongs,” said a former MLA and added that “the present imbroglio has confused legislators from other communities who do not know whom to support.” 

What has obviously irked the Gounder community is the lop-sided representation in the cabinet. While 9 of the 20 Mukulathor MLAs were accommodated in the Cabinet, only 5 ministerial berths were given to the Gounder community that has 28 legislators. Meanwhile, veteran AIADMK leader and former minister K A Sengottaiyan, who also belongs to Kongu Vellala Gounder community, has shot off a press communique on Friday evening reaffirming his commitment to the party. 

“I will always remain a sincere, loyal follower to our Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. Certain forces are trying to spread false rumours with malicious intent against me, but I have always remained loyal to the party and leadership even during difficult times,” Sengottaiyan said. One of the oldest AIADMK leaders who has been with the party since MGR’s days, K A Sengottaiyan has been among the few prominent leaders from the western built whose names have cropped up among the party cadre for the powerful post of the AIADMK general secretary besides parliamentarian Thambidurai.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said it was “too early” to discuss anything about BJP’s alliance with AIADMK in the new political scene unfolding after the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

“It is too early to discuss anything (about alliance)… just now the last rites of madam (Jayalalithaa) were performed. Secondly, there is no election now. There is no alignment. There is no realignment also now. Let us wait and see ...,” Naidu, told reporters here. He was responding to a question about the role of the Centre and BJP in the emerging power play post Jayalalithaa. Asked if his describing AIADMK as a “natural ally” meant that it would join the NDA fold, Naidu said, “natural is the word used by a section of media friends. I have not used that word. I said there is an ideological affinity to some extent.”    On some issues, he said, AIADMK was supporting Narendra Modi government at the Centre  and on some other issues the party has been critical.