Another defeat puts Edappadi K Palaniswami on the ropes

CHENNAI: AIADMK’s string of defeats continues and Edappadi K Palaniswami’s position as the party’s 'undisputed' leader is under threat. AIADMK’s tally of 43 seats marks its poorest performance since 1996 and even its traditional support base in the state’s western belt has eroded. Vijay’s promise of “economic protection and uncompromising security for women” has resonated more than AIADMK’s offer of refrigerator and saree for Deepavali.Since Jayalalithaa’s passing, AIADMK has struggled to maintain unity and direction. The scale of this loss may embolden V K Sasikala and T T V Dhinakaran to renew attempts to reclaim the party. Palaniswami had reconciled with Dhinakaran in the hope of consolidating the mukkulathor vote in the south. But AIADMK could win only five seats of 58 seats in the region. Sasikala’s new party and repeated accusations of Palaniswami’s ‘betrayal’ also hurt AIADMK in mukkulathor strongholds.After unsuccessful attempts to bring Vijay’s TVK into its fold, AIADMK eventually aligned with the BJP, though they had parted ways a year ago over remarks by former state BJP chief K Annamalai against party icons C N Annadurai and Jayalalithaa. In certain constituencies, including Chepauk-Triplicane with its sizeable Muslim population, AIADMK and BJP cadres were not comfortable working together. In Royapuram, AIADMK’s D Jayakumar refused to campaign with BJP cadres or flags, but still lost.Palaniswami defended the tie-up pointing to the earlier DMK-BJP partnership during the Vajpayee era. But DMK and its allies framed the NDA as a “New Delhi Alliance”, accusing AIADMK leadership of being subservient to the BJP under the weight of corruption charges and acting as a conduit for the saffron party’s entry in Tamil Nadu.Palaniswami’s support for the Modi govt’s delimitation bill also became politically awkward after the initiative was defeated in Parliament days before assembly election. He was unable to counter the rivals’ ‘anti-Tamil Nadu’ narrative.AIADMK’s position as one of the major poles of state politics is under threat. Newer forces such as TVK, caste-based outfits and BJP are competing for the same space. Palaniswami’s hold over district-level functionaries and cadres may weaken. His bargaining power with allies could diminish further.AIADMK’s future now depends on how the leadership rebuilds the organization, reconnects with women and youth, and rural and urban voters. What is undoubted is that the party is set for a period of internal instability.