General Secretary post in AIADMK again?

Supporters of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had also reached out to the AMMK functionaries asking them to return to parent AIADMK ahead of upcoming civic polls.

“All eyes are on senior leaders like R Vaithilingam, KA Sengottaiyan, CVe Shanmugham on what they think. Further, the AIADMK MLAs, who have not enjoyed the ministry are also upset with the current ministers and this is likely to create a heated debate in the party headquarters,” an AIADMK MLA told DT Next.    

“There will be a resolution blaming the DMK for trying to poach AIADMK MLAs and there will be a resolution to work for the victory of the party in the ensuing civic polls,” the source opined.

When contacted, former AIADMK MP KC Palaniswami on the upcoming meeting, said, “The party leaders said that the meeting has been arranged to get the views of the party seniors, but I have not received any invitation till now. I have issues to be discussed at the meeting, but I don’t know why I have not been invited. AIADMK cadres want strong leadership led by a party general secretary,” Palaniswami said.

Admitting that there are issues in the AIADMK, former MP Palaniswami had strongly supported the views of Rajan Chellappa. “I went to the court seeking the same demands now put forth by the MLA. We need an elected general secretary to lead the party and the party leaders should pave way for the same,” the former MP said. 

The issue can 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 for a 15-member committee led by Chief Minister Palaniswami and his Deputy O Panneerselvam to work on the party poll schedule and the election process. The AIADMK leadership should re-amend the party bylaws and restore its constitution practised during the days of J Jayalalithaa, Palaniswami opined.   

“There is uneasiness in this arrangement of coordinators and deputy coordinators and ministers behave on their own. There is no accountability for poor performers. We have been losing regional satraps like Raja Kannapppan and Senthil Balaji weakening the party,” opined an AIADMK spokesperson wishing not to be named. Dual leadership may be ideal for the government, but the party to sustain needs a single strong leadership, the spokesperson added.

Party deputy coordinator KP Munusamy on Monday condemned the AIADMK MLAs for raking up the issues related to AIADMK leaders and dubbed the issues as internal matter of the party.