The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu will announce its Chief Minister candidate today for the next year’s assembly elections. But the situation prevailing now hints us the announcement may be delayed due to the conflict between Chief Minister Edapaddi Palaniswami (EPS) and deputy chief minister O Paneerselvam (OPS). The crisis started immediately after the death of the then leader J Jayalalitha in 2016. OPS was made a CM but due to the evidence collected with OPS and his office name from Sekar Reddy's IT raid leads a revolt and split AIADMK into two, OPS losing his CM post.
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Later in 2017, after Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran were ousted from the party EPS and OPS team merged. The united EPS and OPS have BJP in their alliance. Now, the confusion arises as OPS camp is seeking more power and space in the party structure. He hardly has 12 or 13 MLAs with him during the separation. Now, after three years OPS is left with 5 MLAs in his camp. The success of EPS has explicitly seen from his successful completion of five years tenure and in bringing more people from OPS camp to EPS.
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EPS government runs the government administration with the inclusion of IAS officers in each and every decision, which portrays his bureaucratic administration. With the limited strength, OPS is now demanding a steering committee for the party and a party secretary before the elections. With the talks of sasikala joining the party, DMK forming a strong alliance, AIADMK has to stay strong and united at least to battle hard in the election. About the CM announcement, it is clear that CM EPS has to exhibit his political skills by in taking OPS smoothly.