Vanathi-CM meet sparks talk of new leadership for state BJP

The buzz is that she is likely to replace state BJP president Tamilsai Soundararajan and her meeting with the Chief Minister could be a forerunner for the national party’s vision to gain a foothold in the state. “Palanisamy’s instructions to cadre and functionaries not to comment against the Union government is significant,” said political observer T George. “The feeling that I-T raids on the premises of Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar and former Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao were stage-managed by the BJP, gained credence as no cases were registered against either,” he added. 

In AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran’s issue, the name of the election commission official, who was willing to accept the bribe, is yet to be revealed. AIADMK(A) insiders said, “Issues are being raised against the AIADMK (A) leaders only to bring them to heels, as similar RK Nagar by-poll related offences by the AIADMK (PTA) and DMK were not taken seriously, though in the latter case a party cadre was caught red-handed with cash.” 

Meanwhile, MGR Amma Deepa Peravai general secretary and late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar citing deteriorating law and order situation demanded the Centre to use Article 356 to dissolve the state Assembly and call for fresh elections. “The situation is so bad that women feel unsafe,” she said, pointing out to the ‘suicides’ of Ram Kumar (Swathi murder case) and Ilayaraja, the killer of Nivedha. That Chief Minister Palanisamy is unable to be proactive in his approach is seen from his inability to control rising non-cooperation in the party. 

Moreover, Palanisamy kept quiet when AIADMK(A) party headquarters speaker and spokesperson Nanjil Sampath along with former Melur MLA R Samy organised a meeting in Madurai recently demanding Dinakaran’s release and condemning the Union government, directly disobeying him. “Though EPS can post his cronies as heads of the various boards, that he has not done it till now only means that he is not sure about himself and the government he heads,” said George.

In the present situation, the BJP is facing a stiff opposition only from the DMK. A party cadre preferring anonymity said, “We have to wait and see whether the Centre will use the 2G scam to bog down the Dravidian major.”