In a surprising turn of events, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi Palanisami seems to have launched a series of “strategic” manoeuvers, that align his party’s stance with that of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) while courting support from minority communities in Tamil Nadu.
Ondriya Arasu Terminology
In a notable twist, he employed the terminology, “Ondriya Arasu”, which was coined and used by the DMK to denote the Central government. This term carries undertones suggesting that India is a union of states rather than a single, cohesive nation.
On 9 October 2023, the DMK passed a resolution urging the central government to instruct the Congress government in Karnataka to release Cauvery water in compliance with Supreme Court directives. The AIADMK voted in favour of this resolution while the BJP walked out citing that the resolution was incomplete and that it did not mention Congress which was the ruling government in Karnataka. Speaking to the press afterward, EPS stated that the DMK’s separate resolution on Cauvery water was aimed at the “ondriya arasu” (Union government). He said, “They (DMK) have brought about a separate resolution (for Cauvery water release) in the assembly; that was only to urge the “ondriya arasu” (union government)”.
மக்களே பார்த்துட்டே இருங்க இன்னும் கொஞ்ச நாள்ல இவனுங்க திமுகவையே மிஞ்சி பாஜக/இந்து எதிர்பு அரசியல் செய்ய போறாங்க….
இந்து விரோத திமுகவுக்கு மாற்று அதிமுக என்று நினைக்கும் கோமாளிகளுக்கு இந்தப் பதிவு சமர்ப்பணம்.
இனிமே அதிமுகவுக்கு எவனாவது முட்டு கொடுத்துட்டு வந்தீங்கன்னா… pic.twitter.com/SlxjurgCff
— Johny Bhai 🇮🇳 (@Johni_raja) October 9, 2023
Previously, the AIADMK had criticised the DMK for using “Ondriya Arasu” to address the central government and had supported the BJP. However, this recent shift indicates a significant departure from that stance especially after the AIADMK snapped ties with the BJP.
Calling For Release Of Coimbatore Blast Convicts
AIADMK, under the leadership of former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), has also made a significant commitment to minority rights. Following the party’s split from the BJP, AIADMK raised a calling attention motion over the issue of releasing Muslim prisoners including those who have been convicted for the 1998 Coimbatore Bomb Blasts.
மாண்புமிகு சட்டமன்ற எதிர்கட்சித்தலைவர் புரட்சித்தமிழர் @EPSTamilNadu அவர்கள் இன்று (10.10.2023) தமிழ் நாட்டில் நீண்ட நாள் சிறையில் உள்ள இஸ்லாமிய சிறைவாசிகளை விடுதலை செய்வது குறித்து சட்டப்பேரவையில் சிறப்பு கவன ஈர்ப்பு தீர்மானம் கொண்டு வந்தார் .@AIADMKOfficial… pic.twitter.com/zsVsAPxDH3
— AIADMK IT WING (@AIADMKITWINGOFL) October 10, 2023
The motion called for releasing over 36 Muslim prisoners including the 16 convicts sentenced to life in the 1998 Coimbatore Blasts case on humanitarian grounds considering their long sentences served, old age and health.
Some of the prisoners in question were arrested in connection with the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts, which claimed 58 lives and injured many. 16 convicts, including Baasha from the Al-Umma, received life sentences. Many have spent more than 25 years behind bars, even though numerous calls have been made for their release.
Islamic parties, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) as well as DMK alliance members, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), have been advocating for their release. Protests and demonstrations have been ongoing in Tamil Nadu, emphasising the “plight of these prisoners”. Since the DMK came to power in 2021, the demand for their release has intensified.
This initiative aligns with the DMK government’s earlier efforts to release long-serving prisoners, especially those imprisoned for 20-25 years. The move comes as AIADMK seeks support from Muslim organisations and the broader minority community.
At the AIADMK Golden Jubilee Conference held in Madurai, the AIADMK reportedly decided to fulfill the main demand of the Muslims of Tamil Nadu to release the inmates involved in the 1998 Coimbatore Blast case who have been in jail for more than 20 years.
Seeking Alliance with Minority Parties
During a recent party gathering in Salem, Palanisami urged Muslims to support AIADMK in the upcoming general elections. A video of EPS speaking at the event went viral on social media. EPS said, “Many people from the Muslim community have come here. I would like to point out that ADMK has acted just as you wished. Similarly, you have to ensure that our candidates win the elections. I learned today that many people from the Muslim community reside in this area. You must go to each Muslim’s house and assure them that ADMK will always work towards the safety of the minority community. I am also from this region; I live in Salem, and you can meet me anytime. As far as the ADMK is concerned, just like how the eyelids protect the eyes, ADMK will be the first people to protect the minority communities.”
முஸ்லிம் மக்கள் ஆசைப்பட்டது போல அதிமுக,பாஜக கூட்டணி இல்லை. கண்ணை இமை காப்பது போல சிறுபான்மையினரை அதிமுக பாதுகாக்குமாம்- எடப்பாடி. இந்து ஓட்டு வங்கி இல்லாததால் தானே இந்த பேச்சு அதிமுகவும் திமுகவும் போட்டி போட்டு சிறுபான்மை காவலராக தன்னை அறிவிக்கிறார்கள். இந்துக்கள் உனர்வது எப்போ? pic.twitter.com/tH5RRMkha5
— A.T.Elangovan (@elangovan_HM) October 3, 2023
AIADMK’s recent moves are part of a broader strategy to secure support from minority communities, with a particular focus on forming alliances with Muslim political parties, such as the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK). Additionally, the party is exploring ties with the influential Dalit political party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
The party’s alignment with DMK’s terminology and its commitment to minority rights are significant developments that may shape the state’s political dynamics in the coming months.
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