Madhu blames EPS faction for RK Nagar bypoll debacle

Chennai: Knives are out in the AIADMK after the R K Nagar bypoll debacle. AIADMK’s presidium chairman and party nominee E Madhusudhanan has written to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam blaming senior ministers and party functionaries  for his loss.

In the letter, Madhusudhanan, who lost to rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran by a huge margin of 40,000 votes, has also questioned why no action has been taken against any party functionary so far for the party’s defeat in the December 21 by-poll.

This is the major revolt in the unified AIADMK and has come as an embarrassment to both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam at a time when they are being challenged by rebel leader Dhinakaran both inside and outside the Assembly.

The senior leader has also hinted at differences between leaders of two factions in the constituency.  

Madhusudhanan’s letter does not come as a surprise, according to party seniors, who say he had always suspected Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar of “sabotage” in the constituency since he represents the neighbouring Royapuram segment.

“They don’t see eye to eye and it was a known secret that Jayakumar first opposed the candidature of Madhusudhanan and came around only after OPS put his foot down on the issue,” the senior leader said.

Madhusudhanan has also blamed other senior ministers who camped in the constituency for a fortnight for “not putting their heart and soul into the campaign.” The leader is also understood to have questioned the chief minister whether the "hearts have really synced."

In the letter, according to sources, Madhusudhanan has questioned why the AIADMK got less votes in wards that were being looked after by Jayakumar. He has also blamed ministers of not infusing confidence in cadre. It is also understood that Madhusudhanan has given seven days time for the Chief Minister to act on his complaint.