After exhausting all excuses to put off merger attempts, the AIADMK rebel group led by O Panneerselvam—OPS for short—has finally opened an intra-faction dialogue to create a broad consensus ahead of the accord. OPS knew all along that consensus building would not be easy because there are multiple interest groups that need to be accommodated within the unified structure. Yet he had to bite the bullet for his own sake and in the larger interests of the party and governance.
A handful of leaders on his side took extreme positions against the ruling group, so it is understandable that they are squirming and creating roadblocks. OPS ought to be able to find ways to keep most of them in good humour.
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami created the atmosphere for unity by announcing a judicial probe into the death of party icon J Jayalalithaa. That was the second condition set by the rebels for the merger. The first condition was met in a more dramatic fashion as the CM craftily exploited an opening provided by jailed party general secretary V K Sasikala’s nephew T T V Dhinakaran and sacked him as deputy general secretary. In one sweep, he also refused to recognise the 60 appointments Dhinakaran made to party posts, which included 20 legislators. And a statement issued by the ruling side explaining its action read like a purge of the Sasikala clan.
Till a couple of weeks ago, the Palaniswami faction didn’t want to burn bridges with the clan; they merely said the family had been asked to stay away from party activity. They had also stonewalled demands for a probe into Jayalalithaa’s death. Their positions changed rapidly, perhaps with a nudge from Delhi.
With the ruling faction walking half the distance for a handshake, all eyes are on OPS walking the walk with a warm vanakkam and a hug. OPS must wrap it up quickly to end the stalemate and bring the focus back on issues of governance while treating the clan with a pain balm.