Deadlock on as EPS, OPS spar over steering panel

CHENNAI: With the deadline set by the AIADMK to announce its Chief Ministerial candidate for 2021 polls barely a few hours away, senior party leaders and ministers held back-to-back meetings at the residences of AIADMK convenor O Panneerselvam and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami throughout Tuesday in a last minute attempt to resolve the deadlock between the two camps.

While the issue appears to have been almost finalised in favour of EPS, the constitution of the steering committee remained contentious until late evening as AIADMK joint convenors R Vaithilingam and KP Munusamy, along with senior ministers, shuttled between the residence of EPS and OPS.

“Vaithilingam had earlier advised OPS and EPS to directly talk and resolve differences, but the intervention of ministers has aggravated the situation. OPS is keen on the party steering committee and wants non-ministers to be its members. EPS wants the committee to be represented by a section of ministers. This is what is delaying the announcement,” said a party senior, adding, party leaders will again meet on Wednesday to resolve the issue.Meanwhile, AIADMK presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan told reporters that talks over the formation of the steering committee are progressing well. “We are hoping that both OPS and EPS will make a joint statement by tomorrow. He also said that there will not be major reorganisation in the party and asserted that he will continue to hold the post of presidium chairman gifted by former CM Jayalalithaa.

Supporters of OPS claimed that the Centre will back the AIADMK leadership led by OPS. Subsequently, the office of the Deputy Chief Minister released a press release recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thank you letter issued to OPS, last month.