AIADMK’s loss puts govt at risk

The party had already lost 18 MLAs to Dinakaran and the case against their disqualification is pending in the Madras High Court.

The leader himself had entered the Assembly and the possibility of him attracting more MLAs cannot not be ruled out. According to sources, several ministers have been calling Dinakaran to congratulate him on his victory while an MP from Vellore B. Senguttuvan returned to his fold.

There seems to be high chances for the government and the party moving back to Dinakaran’s control. The MLAs who were holding on to the ruling camp for fear of dissolution of Assembly and a likely defeat in the next Assembly elections could now hope to win the Assembly elections again if they moved to Dinakaran’s camp, as he has proven his vote-attracting abilities. With Parliamentary elections a year away, the MPs too could flock to the winner’s camp to get a shot at another term.

One of the AIADMK functionaries cited former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s open challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 elections and compared the present party leadership who are seen subservient to the saffron party. “Naturally, people see Dinakaran as a leader who could step into the shoes of Jayalalithaa. He is known as a fearless leader, who fought for the state’s rights against a powerful Union government,” he said.

Another functionary, however, said that most of the key posts in Dinakaran’s camp had been filled with his supporters and it is not known what kind of posts defectors would get. Besides, MLAs and MPs — who had sided with Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam — should be assured of a ticket if they choose to return to his fold.