Maitreyan’s FB post suggests all is not well in AIADMK

While the post reflected the mood of leaders who rallied around rebel leader and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and waited for their loyalty to be “reciprocated,” senior ministers maintained that there was no difference of opinion as suggested by Maitreyan, even as they maintained that there was nothing under the sun that could not be ironed out through talks. 

“It has been three months now since the merger of EPS-OPS factions. Months are passing, what about hearts?” Maitreyan posted on Facebook. 

This is the second salvo of Maitreyan in recent times. He had recently expressed displeasure against the ruling BJP at the Centre for the I-T raids conducted at the Poes Garden residence of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. 

It was his comment which made side-lined AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran refer to the Rajya Sabha MP as a “man of better conscience.” 

When contacted, Maitreyan refused to comment on the FB post. However, he said that the post was very much in public domain and open to interpretation. 

A source said that the MP was vocal in expressing thoughts of leaders who stood by OPS. 

“Everyone knows OPS and K Pandiarajan were inducted into the government while the rest were promised party posts during the merger, and that has not materialised even after three months,” the source said. 

Pandiarajan and former Minister KP Munusamy, who were key faces in the OPS faction, were not available for comment.

Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar denied any knowledge of the Facebook post, adding that intra-party affairs should not be in public domain.

“There is consensus at all levels in the party which has about 1.5 crore cadre. Dissent, if any, can be solved through talks, and that would be the right way,” he said. 

Handlooms Minister OS Manian said that only Maitreyan would be able to explain his post. 

“There are no fresh appointments either in the party or in the government post-Jayalalithaa’s death since the Election Commission is seized of issues pertaining to the party, its leadership, and the Two Leaves symbol,” he said.