Edappadi Palaniswami is misleading the BJP-DMK alliances, diverting attention from political affairs, and not effectively voicing his opinions as the opposition leader in the legislative assembly. He overlooks opportunities such as the Cauvery dispute and the Governor-Speaker disputes, failing to assert his voice strongly in the assembly.
For the past year, there hasn’t been any support for the ‘One State, One Election’ initiative. However, when the DMK independently made decisions in the assembly against this initiative, EPS should have expressed his opposition. Instead, he evaded his responsibility even when there was a controversy between the Governor and the Speaker, stating, “We need to ask both the Governor and the Government about this issue.”
During the AIADMK administration, there was an attempt to rename the Fisheries University after the AIADMK founder’s mother. After much controversy, it was decided, and at that time, it was sent to the Governor. After R.N. Ravi became the Governor, he included that university in the list of ten universities to be renamed. EPS presented a decision in the assembly in November last year. In September itself, the BJP withdrew from the alliance and EPS started acting independently.
Despite facing crises, EPS shows no support or opposition in controversies, making his party’s stance appear weak.
When MPs were removed from the Lok Sabha, and controversies arose regarding financial allocations for states, EPS failed to express any clear opinions. In the Ramar Temple controversy and the farmers’ struggle, EPS has consistently failed to declare his position.
On February 1st, the federal government’s budget was announced. While all political parties in the country expressed their opinions, AIADMK remained silent. It’s a political tradition in Tamil Nadu not to express any opinions on the central budget. How much longer will this submissive stance continue? If they express support for the budget, DMK will criticize them. If they oppose the budget, Delhi’s ‘powers’ will retaliate. What is the use of ‘majority decision-making’ if they are not willing to voice their stance against the budget? DMK might chant the slogan ‘Majority decision-making is drama.’ If they express opposition to the budget, will they end up as Delhi’s puppets?”