AIADMK chooses safe options for RS seats to get over party infight

To end the infight in the party and to show that the AIADMK will reward party old-timers, AIADMK leaders Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam picked up two less known faces as Rajya Sabha members, overtaking a dozen seniors.

According to informed AIADMK insiders’ former MPs Anwar Rajaa, V Maitreyan, M Thambidurai and Manoj Pandian tried hard to get RS berth, but the seats were given for lesser-known faces.

Party seniors Gokula Indira, KP Munusamy and Tamilmagan Hussain also fought for the seats, but the dual AIADMK leadership chose to nominate the less controversial young politicians for the upper house. The term of four AIADMK MPs, V Maitreyan, T Rathinavel, K R Arjunan and R Lakshmanan, will end this month and all the four also sought renomination.

“This is Amma’s style of functioning. All those who have demanded the seats have already enjoyed power, but Chandrasekharan is new to important posts and represents the home turf of Chief Minister. In case of Mohammedjan, his announcement will ease up the Muslim cadre in the AIADMK and was chosen by party convenor OPS,” a party MLA told Next.

AIADMK leaders OPS and EPS have successfully overcome a piquant situation by selecting the two non-controversial members. Further appointment of an MP from Vellore will also help the party to regain confidence among minorities in the Muslim dominated Vellore Lok Sabha constituency, the legislator said.

The term of four Rajya Sabha members in AIADMK will expire on July 24 and since the announcement of Rajya Sabha nominee, dissent had also started appearing in the party. “There are also rumours that party MGR Mandram secretary Tamilmagan Hussain is upset with the party high command and is likely to meet the press on Sunday,” an MLA said. However, the leaders have successfully diffused the issue comforting the sulking seniors. AIADMK which has around 120 MLAs in the State assembly can elect three Rajya Sabha members.