A do or die act for warring factions

While AIADMK’s breakaway groups are scrambling for a by-poll win, opponents are leaving no stone unturned to take advantage of the situation

CHENNAI: The by-election to the Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly constituency, which fell vacant following the death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has literally become a defining moment for the two factions of the AIADMK.

O Paneerselvam’s AIADMK Puratchi Thalaivi Amma with the lamp post as its symbol and VK Sasiskala’s AIADMK Amma with the cap symbol are facing the electorate without the familiar Two Leaves and the AIADMK flag. For the other parties, particularly the DMK, this is a golden opportunity to prove itself.


Apart from the two official factions of the AIADMK, headed by Sasikala and Panneerselvam respectively, Deepa Jayakumar, niece of Jayalalithaa, is contesting on behalf of MGR Amma Deepa Peravai Party. Also in the fray are the DMK, BJP, CPI(M) and Naam Thamizhar Katchi while the PMK, VCK, CPI , TMC and Puthiya Tamizhagam have chosen to boycott the poll.


Significantly, this is the first election being held in the absence of both J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi, the latter due to ill-health.

Heir-apparent Stalin has to prove his mettle by winning this by-election. But he has chosen to field a not-so-familiar candidate, Marudhu Ganesh, in preference to Simla Muthu Chozhan, who had contested against Jayalalithaa twice.


Sasikala’s nephew and Deputy General Secretary of AIADMK (Amma) TTV Dhinakaran, who is well aware of the perceived anti-Sasikala mood among the women cadre, has gone ahead with his campaign . Dhinakaran seems to be unfazed by the freezing of the Two Leaves symbol by the Election Commission and is highlighting the welfare schemes implemented by Jayalalithaa for the people of RK Nagar.


Historian AR Venkatachalapathy is of the view that Dhinakaran is playing a high-stake game. “This election will decide his political future as well as his efforts to redeem the Two Leaves symbol,” he said. Dhinakaran has another issue in RK Nagar—Deepa Jayakumar is expected to eat into his vote share as she is invoking the name of Jayalalithaa and also trying to cash in on the suspicions doing the rounds about the death of her aunt.


Rival candidate E Madhusudanan, a well known face in RK Nagar constituency, adds strength to the Paneerselvam camp, but whether he can romp home only on the basis of his popularity remains to 
be seen. Venkatachalapathy said Stalin would face a challenge to prove himself in this election. He is treading the path cautiously, but it will all depend on how best the DMK can take advantage of the instability in the AIADMK.


The BJP, which is trying to turn a new leaf in Tamil Nadu, has fielded well known film music director Gangai Amaran, younger brother of music maestro Ilaiyaraja. Amaran says people are fed up with both Dravidian majors—AIADMK and DMK and that boosts his chances.


Winning the by-poll will  be crucial for the future of both the factions of AIADMK and it promises to be no cake-walk. 

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