With one more MLA from ruling AIADMK faction switching loyalty to TTV Dinakaran, the sidelined leader, factional feud in the party gained momentum once again after a brief lull.

Raju Kallakkurichi, MLA from faction led by chief minister Edapppadi K Palaniswami switched his loyalty on Friday after visiting Dinakaran in his residence.

With this, the number of MLA’s supporting Dinakaran has risen to 19 and the EPS government is now riding on strength of 110 MLAs. According to the Election Commission of India, the AIADMK led by Palaniswamy and Panneerselvam has the support of 111 MLAs in the legislative assembly with a total strength of 234 members. With Prabhu joining the Dinakaran camp, the number of MLAs in the EPS-OPS camp has come down to 110.

While Dinakaran is gaining ground in a slow and steady manner, EPS who has completed his one year in office has now started feeling heat of rebellion as his pressured companion and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam has already expressed his displeasure over the present situation in the party with his revelation about Prime minister Narendra Modi’s insistence on his presence in the ministry for the sake of unity in the party.

“Dhinakaran is cool and is capable of overturning the duo. The fact that all is not well in the AIADMK after the merger of OPS faction is also to be noted. Dinakaran is all set to take control of the AIADMK,” said K A Johny, columnist and author who is a keen follower of the AIADMK issues.

According to Prabhu, all is not well in the camp led by chief minister Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam. “There is no effective leadership to lead the party through this difficult times,” said Prabhu.
He also disclosed that more MLAs would follow suit in the coming days by declaring their loyalty to Dinakaran, though senior minister D Jayakumar brushed aside the sleeper cells in the party saying that “Every one is sleeping peacefully in our camp.”

Prabhu who called on Dinakaran along with his loyalists said that, “There is total discontentment in the AIADMK. More and more workers and activists are waiting for the right moment to declare their loyalty to Dinakaran and Sasikala.”

He also said there is no possibility of an election to the Tamil Nadu assembly in the near future. “The AIADMK government will complete its term in office, but we are sure that there is going to be a leadership change,” said Prabhu.

While Prime Minister is coming to Chennai to inaugurate the two-wheeler scheme for women which was announced by former chief minister Jayalalithaa, rumbling in the ruling party is surely an unsavoury note. On Jayalalithaa’s 70th birthday Modi will inaugurate the scheme at Chennai.