Karnataka-like govt change unlikely in TN, feels Opposition

DMK president MK Stalin has only confirmed the frustration by reiterating during the Vellore Parliamentary poll campaign that the incumbent government in the state would fall like in Karnataka last week, if they so desired even now.

The confidence building statements were only meant to encourage a few applause and cheers from the party workers. Otherwise, the Leader of Opposition hasconceded in unequivocal terms their inability to pull the plugs on the regime of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

DMK insiders, privy to the issue admitted that the nine-seat bypoll victory has stabilised the AIADMK government to an extent. “If we had won most of the seats, we would have brought down the government. It would be difficult to lure the ruling party MLAs now. More than winning their confidence, the backing of the BJP government is keeping the AIADMK in power,” said a DMK senior requesting anonymity, before agreeing that they had a few ruling party MLAs in their kitty.

A newcomer MLA of the party had netted a few MLAs of the ruling AIADMK. The negotiations had borne fruits, but the dramatic change in the bypoll results had come as a setback.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister had lured back three MLAs owing allegiance to breakaway faction AMMK led by TTV Dhinakaran and increased the stability of thegovernment, remarked a party district secretary. Ironically, the curious case of Karnataka was a deterrent to the DMK.

“If the BJP desires, it can bring down one and put a new party in power in the state. We saw it in Karnataka. Now, AIADMK is the party enjoying the support of BJP. So, there is strong unlikelihood of unseating a BJP backed Palaniswami. Our leadership is aware of it,” reasoned a DMK senior, before adding that their leader was not keen on forming government even if the AIADMK government falls.

“The incumbent AIADMK regime is unpopular. They have created a mess in the government. Even if we had secured the numbers, our leadership was only keen on going for fresh polls, which would get them a full five-year term,” the leader added.

Even Stalin has publicly stated that his DMK had deferred regime change to 2021 when the tenure of the incumbent AIADMK ends.