The late J Jayalalithaa’s lieutenants O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami are fighting for control of the party
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or the AIADMK, an offshoot of Periyar’s Dravidian movement, was founded by MG Ramachandran in 1972 and nurtured by J Jayalalithaa. The party ruled Tamil Nadu for three decades in its five-decade existence and its leaders scripted history by winning consecutive terms. It weathered storms after the passing of MGR and Jayalalithaa, but now it is witnessing another power struggle involving Jayalalithaa’s commandants O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami. A look at what their tussle is all about.
Who Is O Panneerselvam?
The 71-year-old three-time chief minister, popularly known as OPS, hails from an influential Mukkulathor (Thevar) community of southern Tamil Nadu. His meteoric rise from a tea shop owner in Periyakulam town in Theni district to Jayalalithaa’s trusted lieutenant may not have been possible without VK Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s confidante who also hails from the community. OPS filled Jayalalithaa’s shoes briefly on three occasions: when she stepped down following court orders in 2001 and 2014, and after her death in 2016.
Who Is O Panneerselvam?
The 71-year-old three-time chief minister, popularly known as OPS, hails from an influential Mukkulathor (Thevar) community of southern Tamil Nadu. His meteoric rise from a tea shop owner in Periyakulam town in Theni district to Jayalalithaa’s trusted lieutenant may not have been possible without VK Sasikala, Jayalalithaa’s confidante who also hails from the community. OPS filled Jayalalithaa’s shoes briefly on three occasions: when she stepped down following court orders in 2001 and 2014, and after her death in 2016.