V K Sasikala clan tries to regroup loyal MLAs as fissures widen

As a major crisis looms large in the state government with a section of ministers revolting against T T V Dhinakaran, seeking his resignation as party deputy general secretary, hectic lobbying has begun in party general secretary VK Sasikala's family primarily by her nephew Dhinakaran, husband M Natarajan and brother V Divakaran to poach as many MLAs as possible from the ruling party.

It is estimated that about 40 MLAs are loyal to Natarajan and Divakaran as they were responsible for rewarding them with party tickets in the last election.

Should there be an attempt to dethrone him from the key party deputy general secretary post, Dhinakaran is banking on a few MLAs to not only bail him out, but also bring down the Edappadi Palaniswami government. A confidante of Dhinakaran claimed, “Let the ministers revolt against Dhinakaran, he enjoys the support of 38 MLAs. The government will not survive.“


Only those involved in allocation of party tickets in the last assembly election have any influence over the MLAs. “There are very few legislators like health minister C Vijayabaskar, food minister R Kamaraj and housing minister Udumalai K Radhakrishnan, who swear allegiance to Dhinakaran,“ said a senior AIADMK leader from Thanjavur.

“The fight is for claiming Jayalalithaa's legacy and having control over the party and the gover nment.We do not foresee any problem for the government, but even if it falls in the process, we are determined to show the Mannargudi clan its place. Nobody wants to be servile towards this family . A few ministers are regularly in touch with leaders in the O Panneerselvam camp. A few of us are talking directly to OPS. It has been a late realization for us, but we are convinced that it is not OPS, but the Sasikala family which is our main enemy,“ said a Chennai-based MLA who is among those spearheading the revolt and trying for a reunion between OPS and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Apart from the urge to wield power, yet another reason why Sasikala family members are hunting for MLAs is to insulate themselves from any harm if an inquiry commission is ordered by the government to look into the mystery shrouding the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, said an MLA.

Edappadi's camp, meanwhile, is gaining strength. A vast majority of MLAs from the western and northern belts, headed by ministers P Thangamani and S P Velumani remain with Edappadi, claimed the MLA. Even loyalists of Divakaran and Natarajan would not support Dhinakaran, said a minister.