When Edappadi K. Palaniswami took over as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in February 2017, he was written off as a nondescript leader. Someone temporary. Many predicted that the government would fall within a year and an election was round the corner that would bring the DMK to power with Stalin as the CM. Five years down the line, both the party and government has consolidated itself and has emerged stronger under a leader who has established himself as a doer.
What has amazed his opponents as well as the general public is the extraordinary work done by him during this elections. He has broken all the barriers against him branding himself as a force to be reckoned with. He transitioned from being known as Edappadi K. Palaniswami, just another MLA in Jayalalithaa’s regime to ‘Edappadiyaar’ a mass leader and a tough rival to the DMK chief MK Stalin, credits to his astute political acumen and deft handling of political crises.
CM Palaniswami stands majestically in the field today, despite many weaknesses that have been coming from the all direction such as the ‘negative votes’ on BJP, 10 year anti incumbency of ADMK, 7 years anti incumbency of BJP government at centre, negative pre poll survey results etc”.
Karunanidhi, who had 80 years of public life, was frustrated that Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam (DMDK) did not join their alliance in 2016, thanks to the miscalculation done by MK Stalin costing the DMK another 5 years. His campaigns sounded like the DMK was admitting defeat even before elections. The DMDK went on to form the People Welfare Alliance comprising themselves, Thirumavalavan’s VCK, Vaiko’s MDMK and 2 communist parties. Noting this, Jayalalithaa said, “All the votes you cast for other parties will be wasted. So, vote for us who will win.”
But in this election, EPS/Edappadiyaar was the only star campaigner in the AIADMK to go to all the districts and campaign. His campaign vehicle has tirelessly circled almost all the 234 constituencies. In many places he campaigned in the scorching sun and spoke for at least 20 minutes at each location, touching on local issues.
Campaigning in Madurai East, he said, “Do you want an MLA who comes looking for a house and resolves your grievances? Or do you want an MLA who infiltrates your house and attacks you? You know what kind of DMK candidate is contesting here,” the Chief Minister said. He also recalled incidents such as power outages, land grabbing and attacks on businesses during the DMK regime. “If you want to work peacefully in your business place without the fear of rowdies and goondas, do not vote for the DMK,” he said.
While campaigning in Theni district for Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, took OPS in his van but did not allow him to speak during canvassing, while three other candidates from the district were made to stand in a separate van.
DMK leader Stalin held only one campaign rally in each district. In Jayalalithaa style, he brought all the candidates there and campaigned for them. But the fact that Palaniswami went to every constituency and canvassed is new to the AIADMK. While Kamal Haasan, Harinadar, etc. were all flying in the helicopter, EPS took to the road connecting with the people.
For EPS, this election is a life or death battle for his political future. If the AIADMK loses, some of the Ministers could face corruption charges. The AIADMK might once again face crisis and seek refuge under Sasikala.
When inquired about the work of EPS in the Kongu region, sources said, “His work is not ordinary. But there is another reason for that effort. One of the Gounder lobbies runs behind him. We do not know how many years we will have to wait for this regime (Gounder led government) to come once again in Tamil Nadu. Therefore, they are leaving no stone unturned and are working as hard as they can to retain this power.”.
If the AIADMK under the banner of EPS, history would be made. He would stand here as a different personality, with the identity of the leader who has overthrown the maximum number of political opponents ‘inside and outside’. Edappadiyaar would scale even further heights and establish himself as the true face of AIADMK.
May 2 will tell us what is in store for this underrated politician!
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