CM’s ties with Centre widen rift in party

While Palaniswami observed it was imperative for the state to have a good rapport with the Centre to help secure state’s needs, the dissent came to the fore with ministers Sellur K Raju and KT Rajenthra Bhalaji making public comments, which were poles apart about their relationship with the Centre. Raju wanted the party to go into a self-introspection mode after having the minority and secular votes tilted in favour of TTV Dinakaran, while Bhalaji said that the party would align with the BJP.

Political commentator Govi Lenin said, “It is natural for them to get closer to the BJP as it is also the most possible way to sustain this government. The Election Commission had placed it on record the number of legislators supporting the ruling dispensation, which did not have the working majority. Even the long debated and already established rights of the state are not being stressed upon. For instance, take the relief sought for the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Ockhi.” Political analyst Ravindran Doraisamy, however, claimed that the support from the Centre gives EPS government its strength. 

“EPS is unfazed with actor Rajini’s political entry as it shows from the way he has been taking questions from the media, while it has rattled both DMK working president MK Stalin and Dinakaran,” he said.

As regards the dissent, Doraisamy maintained that every leader in the party can air their views but can’t influence those in power who take decisions.