AIADMK gears up for Edappadi K Palaniswami’s first show of strength as general secretary

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Political analysts say that Palaniswami, having established himself as the party’s supreme leader after quelling the internal tussle with O Panneerselvam, now has the big task of proving that he has got enough tricks up his sleeves to take on the ruling DMK in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

As per AIADMK sources, the party’s strongmen in the Madurai region—such as Sellur K Raju and R B Udhayakumar, both former ministers, and Thiruparankundram MLA V V Rajan Chellappa—have been overseeing the preparations for quite some time. They have been directed to ensure that local functionaries take care of the transportation, accommodation and food of cadres as well as their families who would be coming to the temple city from across the state.

Speaking to indianexpress.com, former minister D Jayakumar said the conference would be a turning point for the party. “The cadres are very excited about the event. The entire country will take note of this mega conference. People who claimed the party had been split into two or four pieces are in deep shock looking at how the conference is shaping up. This wave of support for our leader Edappadi will reflect in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls,” he said.

Jayakumar said that around 15 lakh people would attend the event. “The conference will expose how the people of the state are deeply affected by the DMK’s corrupt and inefficient government,” he added.

DMK’s anti-NEET protests

On the same day, the DMK’s youth, medical and student wings will hold hunger strikes at all district headquarters in protest against the central government for not exempting the state from NEET and against Governor R N Ravi over his stance on the national medical entrance test.

Jayakumar said the DMK had announced the protests to divert public attention from the AIADMK’s mega conference. “They (DMK) were the first one who brought NEET here and now they are doing these antics to cover up their mistake. The DMK does not have any right to talk about NEET,” he added.

Senior AIADMK leader K P Munusamy said the response to the conference had been overwhelming. He said all the private buses and other transport vehicles had already been booked by party cadres to reach Madurai for the event. “The conference will pave the way for the Edappadi-led AIADMK to return to power,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

‘Brand-building exercise’

According to journalist and political analyst Tharasu Shyam, however, the conference is just an exercise to build the Edappadi brand and instil confidence among the cadres that their party is alive.

Madurai and neighbouring areas have around 13 Lok Sabha seats. “The reason behind the AIADMK choosing Madurai is that it has been a successful venue for them in the past. Jayalalithaa organised a mega rally here and it ensured huge momentum for them ahead of the 2011 polls. However, we cannot say this conference will have an effect in the Lok Sabha polls as it is just a few months away,” he said.

“Apart from establishing Edappadi as a tall leader among his cadres, this will be more like a data-collection exercise to see how functionaries are operating at the grassroots level. Edappadi, having served as a district secretary and organised such mega rallies in the past, knows the importance of ‘last-mile connectivity’,” he said.

Shyam also said the conference was a way of sending an indirect message to the BJP that cadres are with Palaniswami and that the AIADMK has the right to decide the number of seats to be allocated to its alliance partner.

“Edappadi’s weaker zone has been southern districts. How much ever he tries, he cannot win votes there. The vote banks of three main stakeholders—Thevars, Muslims and Yadavars—are not with the AIADMK. However, the presence of large crowds will enable Edappadi to say the cadres are behind him, they are still the main player here and that the BJP will have to settle for whatever seats they are allocated,” he added.

Protest against Palaniswami

Meanwhile, the Thevar Kootamaippu has called for preventing Palaniswami from visiting Madurai, alleging that as chief minister he had not done enough for the southern region and the community. The organisation has also announced a black-flag protest against the AIADMK chief.

The conference venue, set up at a ground near Valayankulam, has pandals and a huge stage. Large portraits of party leaders Jayalalithaa and MGR are placed alongside Palaniswami’s portrait at the entrance arch. The event will have a photo exhibition based on the party’s history. Musicians and several other artists have been invited to perform at the venue.