CHENNAI: AIADMK’s string of defeats continues and Edappadi K Palaniswami’s position as the party’s ‘undisputed’ leader is under threat. ADMK’s tally of 47 seats marks its poorest performance since 1996, with even its traditional support base in the state’s western belt eroding.Vijay’s promise of “economic protection and uncompromising security for women” has resonated more than ADMK’s offer of a refrigerator and saree for Deepavali.Since Jayalalithaa’s passing, ADMK has struggled to maintain unity and direction. The scale of this loss may embolden V K Sasikala and her nephew, T T V Dhinakaran, to renew attempts to reclaim the party. Palaniswami had reconciled with Dhinakaran in the hope of consolidating the Mukkulathor caste vote in the south. But ADMK could win only five of the 58 seats in the region.Sasikala’s outfit and repeated accusations of Palaniswami’s ‘betrayal’ hurt ADMK in these strongholds too. After unsuccessful attempts to bring Vijay’s TVK into its fold, ADMK eventually aligned with BJP, though they had parted ways a year ago.Palaniswami defended the tie-up, pointing to the DMK-BJP alliance during the Vajpayee era. But DMK and its allies framed the NDA as a “New Delhi Alliance”, accusing the ADMK leadership of being subservient to BJP under the weight of corruption charges and acting as a conduit for the saffron party’s entry in TN. It made ADMK and BJP cadres uncomfortable working together.Palaniswami’s support for the Modi govt’s delimitation bill also became politically awkward after the initiative was defeated in Parliament days before the poll. ADMK’s position as one of the poles of TN politics is under threat. Newer forces are competing for the space.
