Mixed voices in AIADMK camp over single leader

Though senior AIADMK leaders have rejected his call for a ‘single and charismatic’ leader, labelling it as a ‘personal’ issue that can be sorted out through dialogue, a section of cadre justified Chellappa’s demand by stating that it was vital to steady and sustain the party.

Voicing out against the dual leadership, Chellappa said the need of the hour was a powerful leadership following in the footsteps of the late J Jayalalithaa. The party performed poorly in the Lok Sabha elections due to the dual leadership and there was a need to bring in order so that the party can face the forthcoming elections, he told reporters on Saturday.

Stating that he was reflecting the views of several party MLAs, district secretaries and cadre, Chellappa said the post of general secretary should be reinstated to ensure that there was a single leadership to take care of the party. His statement was followed by several party leaders attempting to diffuse the situation.

Seeking to downplay the controversy, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami termed all the cadre and functionaries of the AIADMK as leaders, adding that there was no leadership crisis. He, however, refused to answer further queries by stating that he had not seen the full interview of Chellappa.

On the other side, former MP K C Palaniswami, who strongly supported the views of Chellappa, said there were issues in the AIADMK. “I went to the court seeking the same demands now put forth by Chellappa. We need an elected general secretary to lead the party and the party leaders should pave way for the same,” he said.

According to him, the issue could be easily handled by forming a high-level committee to conduct a peaceful poll to post of party general secretary. The seasoned politician also recommended a 15-member committee led by the CM and his deputy to work on the party poll schedule and the election process. “The AIADMK leadership should amend the party bylaws and restore its constitution as practised during the days of Jayalalithaa”, Palaniswami opined.

Requesting anonymity, a party spokesperson said dual leadership may be ideal for the government, but a single strong leadership was vital for the party to sustain.

“There is some uneasiness in this dual arrangement as ministers are acting independently. There is no accountability for poor performers. We have been losing strong regional leaders like Raja Kannappan and Senthil Balaji, thereby weakening the party,” he added.

Weighing into the issue, State Minister Rajenthira Bhalaji and party deputy coordinator K P Munusamy dubbed Chellappa’s statement as personal and said internal issues would be addressed through dialogue.