An eerie calm is prevailing in the ADMK camp. With the 28 September Executive Committee meet stopped short of shoving and pushing, an eerie silence prevails ahead of their self imposed deadline of 7th October.
Deputy Chief Minister who had displayed signs of an impending Dharma Yudham 2.0 is trying all his luck to lure the party behind him. OPS, whose shoulders are already down following the EC meet is propped up by his two sons. The hyper-ambitious sons of OPS Ravindranath and Jayapradeep are placing calls all over the country to BJP leaders to come to their rescue.
However, the EPS camp is in a bliss. More about it later.
The 28th September EC meet exposed the bitter rivalry brewing inside the ADMK. Barring JCD Prabakar, none of the speakers took an explicit stand supporting OPS. Most of them waved white flag and asked for a compromise. From the tone and tenor of the speakers it could be understood that everyone is scared of the BJP. In fact, Minister Thangamani, was categorical. He spoke that it was EPS who ensured that the party stood together for four years in spite of difficult challenges. And due credit should be given to him by naming him the CM candidate. Ministers KA Sengottaiyan, Dindigul Srinivasan, and MP Thambidurai echoed him.
Following this, it was OPS turn to take the baton. He pointed fingers at EPS and said, “Amma made me CM. But it was Sasikala who made me CM”. EPS was furious. He gave a lengthy sermon. “Not only me. It was the person whom you mentioned made you CM for the third time. Don’t forget. You say ‘amma’s govt. amma’s govt’. But it was you who voted against this Amma’s government. In fact I am the one who is saving your MLA post.
I have been running this government amidst several obstacles. I am carrying the entire pressure mounted on this government and party. Is this the reciprocation I get ?”
As there was no moderator and people were hungry and getting restless. KP Munusamy and Vaithiyalingam closeted inside a room and announced the date 7th October for announcement of CM candidate. Owing to fatigue, everyone agreed and curtains were drawn for the day.
As stated earlier, due to family pressure, OPS has to fight it out. His wards and family are not in a mood to relent. The only card OPS can now play is to reach out to BJP and ask them to throw their weight behind him. OPS tried through three sources. All the three sources turned down OPS. Delhi high command is very angry with OPS as they feel he has never kept any of his promises.
Further High Command is furious that without their knowledge, OPS has reached out to TTV camp. About a month back, OP. Ravindranath and Vivek Jayaraman had a four hour long meeting at Kodaikanal. Though OPS is blissfully ignorant, he and his family are under round the clock watch by multiple intelligence agencies, including the state’s.
Not satisfied, OPS sent an emissary, a senior ADMK leader to Mylapore broker S.Gurumurthy. Gurumurthy, who had already called OPS an impotent, shouted to the level of damaging his vocal cords. Soures say, Gurumurthy shouted to the effect that only because of the incompetency of OPS, Gurumurthy’s stocks hit bottom circuit with Delhi. He is not able to curry even a small favour from Delhi. People consider him as a loser.
Mylapore Power Broker S.Gurumurthy
The message was quite explicit. OPS read the message loud and clear. He started attending office. He conducted meeting with CMDA officials. This meeting was called in an hour’s notice. Notorious power broker ‘Judicial’ Krishnamurthy is giving last hopes to OPS. But, he is a spent force and all his access to Delhi’s power center were severed long back.
Judicial Krishnamurthy with Amit Shah (file photo)
What will happen on 7th October ?
EPS camp is firm that Edappadi Palanisamy’s name should be announced as CM candidate on 7th. Delhi is also firmly with EPS camp. What are the options before OPS ? Can he revolt ? Can he do a Dharma Yudham 2.0.
Absolutely no. Everyone have understood that OPS is a spent force now. He don’t even command respect from his own community. Community people will never forget the backstabbing he did on Sasikala. As far as the majority of the community people are concerned, what OPS dis was worst form of treachery. He is not in a position to even demand MLA ticket for his second son.
7th October will most certainly draw the curtains on the CM Chair Drama.
