OPS, EPS call on PM Modi in Delhi. Was AIADMK’s internal tussle on agenda?

AIADMK leaders O. Panneerselvam and Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. The duo had a cordial meeting with Modi for a little over 30 minutes, thus leading to several speculations in the political arena in Tamil Nadu. After the meeting, their party colleagues including Panneerselvam’s son and Theni Lok Sabha MP O.P. Raveendranath Kumar and former AIADMK minister S.P. Velumani had a photo op with the prime minister. 

“We discussed welfare measures for Tamil Nadu. We thanked the prime minister for campaigning for alliance candidates in the Assembly elections. We asked him to allocate sufficient doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Tamil Nadu. As far as Mekedatu issue is concerned, when the AIADMK was in power we had demanded the Centre not to give permission to Karnataka to construct the dam. If the Centre provides permission, then the Delta districts would turn into a desert. As many as 14 districts are dependent on the Cauvery for drinking water. So, we placed a demand before PM Modi on this issue. Also, to overcome the water scarcity in Tamil Nadu, we have asked him to implement the Godavari-Cauvery river link initiative as soon as possible,” Palanisami told media after the meeting. 

While the two leaders said that the meeting was purely for the welfare of Tamil Nadu, it gains political significance as the AIADMK, after the death of Jayalalithaa, has been close to the BJP leaders in Delhi. “It is an open secret, given the fact that the BJP was the mediator in all AIADMK affairs after Amma. Also the BJP leaders in the state have been saying that they are the real opposition party,” says AIADMK’s expelled spokesperson Pugazhenthi. 

Apparently, this is the first time that the warring leaders, Panneerselvam and Palaniswami have gone all the way to Delhi to meet the prime minister together. The appointment for the meeting, sources say, was got by Panneerselvam while Palaniswami rushed from his home town Salem, hours after the AIADMK coordinator left for Delhi. 

The meeting assumes significance as it comes close on the heels of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) conducting searches on the premises belonging to former AIADMK minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar and ousted party leader V.K. Sasikala deciding to take the plunge into active politics and take over the party. Also, sources say, the ensuing local body polls could also have been in the agenda as the BJP wants a chunk of seats to contest. According to highly informed AIADMK sources, the two leaders are believed to have briefed Modi about the vigilance raids and also Sasikala’s continued efforts to stage a come back into the party. 

Apparently, Palaniswami, who had categorically denied space for Sasikala in the party before the elections, on Monday refused to answer a question on her. Sources say that Palaniswami is in a predicament as Panneerselvam keeps silence on Sasikala’s efforts to come back and she has extended an olive branch to him. 

Sources added that the BJP also has high demands with regard to local body polls. 

On the other side, the recent vigilance raids on the premises belonging to Vijayabhaskar are looked at as the beginning of a long-drawn action by DVAC against alleged corruption deals during the AIADMK government. The raids have sent a strong message to the AIADMK that none of their leaders will be spared, as the DMK had earlier submitted a “chargesheet” to Governor Banwarilal Purohit against half-a-dozen AIADMK ministers accusing them of corruption.

Also, the recent developments in the Kodanad heist and the release of the two accused in the case, after the DMK came to power, has also come to haunt Palaniswami. In fact, in her interview with THE WEEK, Saiskala herself said that the EPS government purposely delayed the probe.

Meanwhile, both EPS and OPS, along with other leaders, are still camping in Delhi, waiting for an appointment with Home Minister Amit Shah.