CHENNAI: After the death of former AIADMK general secretary and chief minister J Jayalalithaa, conventional wisdom was that the monolithic party would be subjected to internal strains and show signs of cracking. Nothing of that has happened, which has baffled politicians in opposition parties and the
laymen alike.
When Jayalalithaa’s aide V K Sasikala took over as party general secretary a few weeks ago, and now when she is at the cusp of becoming the chief minister, there was not even a single voice of dissent within the party structure – right from the level of general council members to ministers.
Even the DMK did not anticipate the respect and support Sasikala would command within the flock, assume as they did that she was not a seasoned politician. Expelled MP Sasikala Pushpa’s moves too – taking a legal recourse to scuttle the chances of her namesake taking over as general secretary – did not work against V K Sasikala.
So, what is keeping the flock together? The answer, according to a senior AIADMK leader, is a combination of “the military-like discipline in the party, loyalty to the leadership and prospects of personal growth”. Outgoing Chief Minister O Panneerselvam personifies the “unwavering loyalty” to the leadership, he added.
Since partymen always knew that Sasikala working the back channels even while Jayalalithaa was active and played a key role in firming up alliances and allocating seats to partners during polls, there was ready acceptance to her new roles in the post-Jayalalithaa phase.
“They readily accepted her leadership both in the party and the government without any disinclination, making the transition smooth,” he stated.
Once Jayalalithaa passed away, Sasikala showed the patience to let things happen without pushing things through. She frequently met party leaders, MLAs, MPs, district secretaries and key office-bearers in the districts and assured them of addressing their aspirations, so as to win their confidence. Leaders once sidelined by Jayalalithaa were also brought back into the party fold to strengthen her hands.
Another leader recalled, “When Jayalalithaa came to power in 2011, she ensured the hard work of partymen was rewarded by offering them posts in the government and its agencies and also by finding them slots in the party. Everyone enjoyed power by some means or the other. It resulted in them getting more loyal to her.”
The State Cabinet and the party set-up continued with minor changes when she won the general elections and came back to the State Assembly in 2016.“Prospects of prosperity would always be in the minds of the partymen, which was what prompted them to work hard and stay loyal even during adverse circumstances,” he pointed out, explaining the factors that worked in favour of the leadership.