Cadre’s usual cheer missing on AIADMK founding day

However, the celebrations were subdued at the headquarters where Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam hoisted the party flag. The huge crowds, enthusiastic cheers, the dance shows and vociferous slogan shouting were missing this year. Given the present situation, when the party is staring at an uncertain future, the celebrations cannot be otherwise.

The party has split into two factions, its ministers and functionaries are speaking in different voices on various issues. The party, which relied on charismatic leaders like MGR and Jayalalithaa finds itself without any such popular leaders to retain its huge cadre base. The biggest crisis is that its popularity had hit the rock bottom and it is not confident of facing any elections including the local body elections.

The party, which won power four times under Jayalalithaa, finds itself on a sticky wicket after her death, losing the party’s name and symbol. Questions are being raised over its survival as a force to reckon with in state politics. 

However, party’s Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan said, “The AIADMK will overcome its challenges and there are grounds for optimism.” He said, “In fact, the crisis for the party had blown over after the merger of Deputy Chief Minister Panneerselvam with the parent body. The merger is a game changer in state politics. Lack of a charismatic leader will not be a handicap for the party, since none of the parties in the state has such a leader, resulting in a level playing field for all.” 

Political analyst Ravindran Duraisamy agreed with Maitreyan’s views and said the party could not be written off immediately. “It remains to be seen how it tackles the situation. There is a possibility of a leader emerging from its ranks. The party had seen such splits and found the emergence of new leaders. There are allegations of the party dancing to the tunes of the Centre. Similar charges were raised against MGR and Jayalalithaa too in the beginning, but they overcame them.”