O. Panneerselvam has always been a thorn in the flesh for former Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy. Edappadi Palanisamy is not the same Palanisamy who was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in February 2017. He has come a very long way.
The Erode East by election was a test of his political skills and it seems he has proved himself. Political pundits were puzzled when the BJP became the first party to announce a 14 member election committee for Erode East. BJP, a junior partner to the ADMK in Tamil Nadu did not wait or consult its senior partner before announcing the election committee. The Erode East by poll was necessitated following the death of Thirumagan Eve Ra son of Congress veteran EVKS Elangovan. Thirumagan defeated Yuvaraja of the Tamil Manila Congress led by GK Vasan with 8000 and odd votes. While the TMC was contemplating to retain its seat by contesting, both the BJP and Edappadi Palanisamy had other plans.
What went behind the screen makes an interesting thriller. Quick to seize the opportunity, TN BJP leader Annamalai, a cop turned politician consulted his party leaders, majority of whom advised against BJP contesting on its own. However, Annamalai was keen. As Plan B, Annamalai approached GK Vasan to contest with BJP support in “lotus symbol”. While Vasan was non-committal, he opened talks with Edappadi Palanisamy who sensed the BJP’s deceptive game.
EPS moved in quickly and sought Vasan to give the seat for ADMK so that accommodations will be made in Lok Sabha and later in 2026 assembly polls. Vasan weighed his options. On the one side, he did not want to antagonise neither parties. On the other, he has to retain his turf in his home state.
While Vasan was weighing his options, Annamalai started coaxing O. Panneerselvam, bete noire of Edappadi Palanisamy to contest with BJP’s support. OPS who became totally dependent on the BJP after exhausting all his options, was not in a position to say no to Annamalai.
EPS sensed Annamalai’s moves. He convinced GK Vasan. Before Annamalai could approach senior leaders in Delhi to force Vasan’s hand, Vasan decided to block it. He announced his support to ADMK candidate by 7.30 am. That was quick. When O.Panneerselvam met GK Vasan and sought his support, Vasan had already made up his mind.
Annamalai’s lost one option. He now has to use his lifeline – OPS to trump EPS.
Since Erode East comprises sizeable number of Mudaliar community people, Annamalai approached educational baron A C Shanmugam and asked him to contest on Lotus symbol. Shanmugam not only refused, but also shut the door for Annamalai by announcing his unconditional support to a BJP candidate. To try his luck again, Annamalai sent OPS to convince AC Shanmugam, whom categorically rejected the offer and stuck to his guns.
Annamalai’s second option too went haywire. Now Annamalai became dependent on OPS. If OPS was a shrewd politician he should have opened channels with EPS and bargained with both of them for a better offer. How EPS would have reacted to this offer is a different question, but OPS should have tried his luck. But, being an unworthy politician, OPS allowed himself to be a puppet of Annamalai.
In the meantime, Annamalai was brainstorming with his party leaders, who were unanimous that the party should throw its weight behind Edappadi Palanisamy as OPS has crossed his expiry date and lost his utility. Further party leaders were also wary that how this will play out in 2024. But, Annamalai was not a man to listen.
EPS played smart. He sent his party leaders to meet Annamalai to communicate his decision. It was just a communication not a consultation. Senior leader KP Munusamy who was part of the delegation, told Annamalai point blank. “We are contesting. That is with you, without you, or despite you”. Annamalai was incensed. His plans were failing.
ADMK started their work. Edappadi Palanisamy personally camped in Erode and supervised the election work. He motivated the cadres. He said this is a do or die battle. Is our party incapable of taking on the DMK without the help of the BJP or not? This was the question he asked to his party men. The tone was set. His battle cry to cadres enthused them. EPS decided to retrieve the ground he lost to Annamalai.
EPS moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to Election Commission to take on record his election as interim General Secretary; expulsion of Panneerselvam, etc. Matter was listed on Monday and the ECI was directed to reply.
Edappadi Palanisamy knew the stand taken by the ECI in this issue will indicate the BJP’s intentions. He was keeping a close track of Annamalai’s moves.
OPS who failed to perform as a leader, meekly announced a candidate named Senthil Murugan. The announcement was so pathetic that he couldn’t even introduce his candidate to media persons but had to do with a photograph.
EPS further decided to rub the BJP and show them who is the boss. The banner for the Erode election office opening ceremony, not only failed to carry the image of Modi, but also changed the name of the alliance from National Democratic Alliance to National Democratic Progressive Alliance.
The change was quickly noted by media and tickers started running in news channels. After receiving calls from Delhi, Annamalai had to speak to ADMK leaders to change the name of the alliance in the banner. After some persuasion, the banner was changed as “National Democratic Alliance”. An experienced politician would not have pushed this issue further. But, a novice in politics, Annamalai, pushed it further.
Interacting with the press, Annamalai, went to the extent of saying, on pointing out the name change in alliance, the ADMK leaders quickly corrected course. This did not go down well with EPS. He ordered the banner to be changed again as “Front led by ADMK”. Delhi was watching these developments.
Annamalai underestimated the influence and strength of ADMK and of course Edappadi Palanisamy. He was summoned to Delhi.
Amit Shah who was not happy with the reports sent by the Intelligence Bureau about the activities of BJP in TN, had directed an independent agency to give an assessment. To his surprise, the assessment the new agency gave was diametrically opposite to what IB had given to him about the influence of Annamalai, growth of the party etc.
In no nonsense terms, Annamalai was told by Amit Shah to meet Edappadi Palanisamy first; communicate to him that two leaves will be given to him; meet OPS; ask him to join EPS and cooperate. If Annamalai had listened to this, he would have saved further embarrassment. But, alas. Annamalai’s obstinacy became a hurdle. He allowed his ego to cloud his decisions.
Annamalai, as directed by Delhi, did meet Edappadi Palanisamy, where he was given a cold welcome. He didn’t expect EPS to behave like this. Having been used to the timid behaviour of Panneerselvam, Annamalai did not expect an assertive Edappadi Palanisamy. EPS not only cold-shouldered him, he asked his senior leader Ponnaiyan to mount a veiled attack on BJP, which Ponnaiyan did without mincing words.
Annamalai changed tack and decided to defy Delhi. He quickly had a consultation with BJP’s TN in charge CT Ravi and they both drew a self goal. Instead of diplomacy, Annamalai decided to play big brother to a huge party like ADMK. On the instructions Annamalai, CT Ravi said, for the welfare of Tamil Nadu and to take on a powerful enemy like DMK, both EPS and OPS should unite. Seconding Ravi, Annamalai too stressed the need for the unification of both factions.
EPS saw through the design. The stand of the Election Commission of India in the Supreme Court by seeking two days time to file a reply on the symbol and the insistence of Annamalai for the two factions to unite gave him the opportunity he was waiting to teach Annamalai a lesson.
He let his second-level leaders and his IT wing to go full guns blazing against BJP. They did go against BJP. War of words broke out between BJP and ADMK cadres in social media.
EPS’s strategy worked. Annamalai did a somersault. Speaking to reporters, Annamalai, said “an appeal had been made to Mr. Panneerselvam in this regard.” He expressed hope that a good decision would be announced on Saturday. He said BJP’s preference to back KS Thennarasu, the candidate fielded by AIADMK’s interim general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, was because he was a two-time MLA and a stronger candidate. Moreover, Mr. Panneerselvam withdrawing his candidate might pave the way for a single candidate from the ADMK to contest on the two leaves symbol, which he said was crucial for the alliance’s victory. He said that the BJP was particular that it did not want to support a candidate contesting on an independent symbol.
This has not cut any ice with ADMK cadres nor leaders. Senior ADMK leaders whom I met yesterday were furious. They said, the BJP is an unwanted burden on us. We would have crossed 100 seats in 2021, had there been no BJP. For tactical purposes we are maintaining silence. Our cadres are furious.
One thing is certain. Our leader EPS has no plans of inviting Annamalai or any other BJP leader for the campaign. We don’t want their support. We have cold-shouldered their offer of support quite explicitly. What more we can do ? If they offer their unconditional support voluntarily, why should we say no ?”
SC too minimised the role of ECI through its order empowering the General Council, thereby indicating EPS will win in the court battle.
As a dull climax for a powerful thriller, O. Panneerselvam, meekly surrendered. He said he will support ADMK candidate which in other words “EPS candidate”. OPS has lost all his cards. He is a political orphan whose only refuge is Kamalalayam.
With sharp political moves, Edappadi Palanisamy, a farmer from Salem has not only trounced his enemies hands down, he has also shown the communal forces they do not have a place in Tamil Nadu. He has also conveyed a subtle message that alliance with BJP is a convenient arrangement and not ideological compromise.
EPS’s next challenge is to win Erode East. Let us wait.
