The strongman from Salem is a Jaya loyalist.
The twists and turns in Tamil Nadu politics refuse to abate. As Sasikala Natarajan got convicted in the disproportionate assets case, all eyes will now be on Edappady K Palaniswamy, the man who has been been elected the leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party. Minutes after the verdict in the case, the AIADMK chose Palaniswamy, a four-time MLA, who is a senior minister in Panneerselvam’s cabinet. Palaniswamy met Governor C Vidysagar Rao on Tuesday evening to stake claim to form the government.
Edappady K Palaniswamy, a loyalist of AIADMK general secretary V Sasikala, was elected the Legislature Party leader, taking over the post from her after she was convicted by the Supreme Court. "I have sent a letter to Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao staking claim to form government. After Governor invites me, I will give him the official paper of my election signed by the legislators," said Palaniswamy.
His election came at an emergency meeting called by Sasikala at a resort within hours of the Supreme Court upholding a Bengaluru trial court order convicting her in the disproportionate assets case, crushing her hopes of becoming the Chief Minister.
Palaniswami, a known Sasikala loyalist and a five-time MLA, is the party's strongman from Salem district and currently holds the portfolios of Highways, Public Works and Minor Ports. He was minister in the previous Cabinet that was led by the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa also and continued with the same portfolios.
He was retained in 2016, both by Jayalalithaa and later by her successor Panneerselvam, who has since revolted against Sasikala for allegedly forcing him to step down from chief ministership. Minutes after the apex court delivered the verdict, Sasikala went into a huddle with her MLAs to decide on the next steps.
Born into an agriculture family, Palaniswami began his political career in AIADMK in 1974 as an ordinary party member. A native of Nedungulam village in Salem district, he later became a local level party secretary for Siluvampalayam in Edappadi Panchayat Union in Salem. A Science graduate, he swore allegiance to Jayalalithaa when AIADMK split into two factions, one led by her and the other by party founder M G Ramachandran's wife Janaki, after MGR's death in 1987.
In 1985, even before the demise of MGR, Palaniswami's followers say he had put up a separate party flag mast "honouring" Puratchi Thalaivi Amma across Edappadi region. In 1990, when Jayalalithaa unified the AIADMK, he was elevated as Salem North District joint secretary.
In 1989, 1991, 2011 and 2016 Assembly polls, he won from Edappadi constituency. When AIADMK was routed in the 1996 Assembly polls, he too lost from Edapadi. Similarly, he was defeated in the 2001, 2006 Assembly polls and the 1999 and 2004 parliamentary polls. In 1998, he went to Lok Sabha by winning the Tiruchengode Lok Sabha seat. A grass-roots level leader, Palaniswamy's growth in the party in a career spanning over 40 years has been steady.
His clout in AIADMK saw a dramatic rise when it won 10 of 11 Assembly segments in Salem district in the 2016 polls. Acknowledging his contributions, he was given the key portfolio of Public Works, besides Highways and Minor Ports, which he had already been holding.
Since 2011, he is Minister for Highways and Minor Ports and he was among the senior ministers who had proximity to Jayalalithaa. He has held various party posts including propaganda secretary, organisation secretary, and disciplinary committee member. Currently, he is the party headquarters secretary and Salem Rural District party secretary.
With inputs from agencies
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