Hours after the two warring factions of the AIADMK led by EPS and OPS merged, MLAs supporting T.T.V. Dhinakaran meditated at the Jayalalithaa memorial. At least 18 MLAs supported Dhinakaran, led by Thangathamizhselvan and Vetrivel, indicating that the ousted deputy general secretary could play a spoilsport and topple the Edappadi Palanisamy-led government. Meanwhile, Dhinakaran tweeted saying he would meet the journalists on August 23, as he was unwell, to announce his plans. He also postponed his public meeting on August 23 at R.K. Nagar, in the backdrop of the developments on Monday.
On February 18, when Edappadi Palanisamy won the trust vote, 122 MLAs voted in his favour, who were managed by T.T.V. Dhinakaran and Sasikala family, while OPS had only 11 MLAs. Now, six months later, Dhinakaran’s strength has been reduced from 122 to 18. But this number is more than enough to pull the rug. Though Dhinakaran managed to parade 20 MLAs at his recent Melur meeting, only 18 turned up today at his house. “We are meeting the governor tomorrow. We will let you know our plans then,” said Vetrivel after meditating at Jayalalithaa memorial with other Dhinakaran camp MLAs for over 15 minutes.
“It was our Chinnamma who managed to bring together all the 122 who supported EPS. We elected him only because Chinnamma told us. Now, how can he go ahead with a cabinet reshuffle without consulting the MLAs who supported him. EPS should have convened the MLAs meeting before inducting OPS into the cabinet,” said Thanga Thamizhselvan.
Stating that, as per the party bylaw, only party general secretary has the power to appoint or remove anyone from the party post, Thanga Thamizhselvan said, “these nominations are null and void as per our bylaw.”
If these MLAs under Dhinakaran rebel and revolt, the EPS government might have to face another floor test. In such a situation, EPS will need a simple majority of the members, which should be at least one vote more than the number of MLAs present during voting.
If there is a tie, the speaker can cast his vote. The Tamil Nadu assembly strength is 234—now 233 with the demise of Jayalalithaa. If the government seeks a trust vote, EPS will need the support of 117 MLAs. But if 18 MLAs supporting Dhinakaran vote against EPS he will have only 115 by his side. As of now EPS has 106 MLAs by his side, OPS has 10 MLAs and Dhinakaran has 18.
Meanwhile, expressing grief over the happenings on Monday, Sasikala’s brother Dhiwakaran said that, “there is no guarantee that the government will continue to run under EPS, as general secretary Sasikala has been expelled. They cannot expel her from the party. She is the sole authority for appointments and inductions in the party.”
It may be recalled that the first voice of dissent against Sasikala’s expulsion came from none other than senior minister O.S. Manian. “It is not the decision of the party. It is only an opinion expressed by Vaithyalingam during the merger meeting,” he said.
At this time, sources say, Dhinakaran will wait and watch for two days, as Sasikala’s review petition in the DA case is likely to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Also, a battery of cases against him, including the FERA case, hang as a Damocles Sword above his head. And Dhinakaran who had always made smart moves in the recent past, sources say, will enhance his strength.
