DMK plays waiting game, watches Dhinakaran's moves

Chennai: Despite senior minister Dindigul C. Seenivasan openly admitting that the state government had lost its majority, the DMK is waiting for  AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s moves which could provide the right opening to breach the citadel.

DMK working president had spoken of bringing a no-confidence motion twice, but had stated that such a motion would depend on circumstances and moved if necessary. DMK functionaries too refused to divulge the party’s plans, keeping the cards close to the chest.

But, they cited reports that MLAs supporting Dhinakaran would approach the Governor after he completed his series of meetings to display his strength. When MLAs supporting Dhinakaran convey to the Governor that Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami did not enjoy their support, the Governor himself could ask the Chief Minister to test his strength in the Assembly, a DMK functionary said.

Pointing out that Stalin had used the word ‘if necessary’ when asked about moving a no-confidence motion, he said when Dhinakaran made the first move, a no-confidence motion by the DMK would not be necessary. “Our leader chooses his words carefully and he will be more cautious and correct in his action too”, he said.

The reports appearing almost in all the Tamil political magazines and leading newspapers had suggested that 20 to 25 MLAs supporting Dhinakaran would meet Governor CH. Vidyasagar Rao as soon as the former completes his series
of public meetings to demonstrate his strength to everyone.

The last of his meetings has been scheduled to be held on October 5 and early action could also be possible if the momentum picks up and the confrontation builds up.

Besides, when DMK, an arch rival of AIADMK icons MGR and J. Jayalalithaa moves a no-confidence motion, it will be difficult for the factions headed by Dhinakaran and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam to vote for it.

AIADMK (Amma) ministers had already warned that Dhinakaran would not be forgiven if he toppled ‘Amma government’. Both, Dhinakaran and Panneerselvam could not be seen as joining hands with Amma’s rival DMK.

In the Madurai meeting itself, he had repeatedly termed the government ‘our government’ and asserted that he would not pull it down.

If the majority of the MLAs agreed to remove Palaniswami from Chief Minister’s post and accept Dhinakaran’s choice for the post, the latter might be more than happy to accept a compromise formula, a section of DMK functionaries feel.