The principal Opposition party, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), is facing a unique situation.
Apart from encountering political offensive from the DMK, its traditional adversary, the AIADMK is experiencing a two-pronged attack — one from its former coordinator and now Bodinayakkanur candidate of the DMK, O. Panneerselvam, and another from its former interim general secretary V.K. Sasikala, who heads the All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK).
While the former has addressed as many as 40 meetings in many areas of the southern region, explaining how he was “meted out injustice” at the hands of the AIADMK’s general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the latter, who has announced 80 candidates on behalf of her party, is set to commence her tour in Thirupparankundram on Tuesday.
Making use of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary to announce her decision of running a party of her own, the AIPTMMK general secretary, once an aide of the former Chief Minister, chose Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district for the occasion. She played the victim card and blamed Mr. Palaniswami for having “betrayed” her.
Two reasons can be attributed to the focus of the present adversaries of the AIADMK in the south.
