OPS never want to fool people of Tamil Nadu

The clear demand of OPS faction to remove Sasikala family totally and completely from AIADMK legally and not symbolically as a precondition to initiate the merger talks with EPS faction of AIADMK has really outwitted the master stroke of EPS.

EPS faction has announced a few days ago that they have removed TTV Dinakaran from AIADMK. Perhaps the EPS faction would have thought that such symbolic statement could be sufficient to misguide people and as a result the people would simply flock around EPS faction. But people are quite smart and are very skeptical about the intention and integrity of EPS group. If the intention of EPS group were different, they are doing nothing but writing own obituary in Tamil Nadu politics. People will never forgive and forget if they engage in such fooling business.

The careful reading of the demands of OPS demonstrates not the weakness and suspicious leadership qualities of OPS targeting a family but it shows he is very shrewd, matured and meticulous. He does not want to run politics of rhetoric and promise but every statement and promise must be well documented and authentic so that the people can verity and cross refer later. This attitude shows that OPS is the man of promise and credibility and does not believe in symbolic gestures that may help divert the attention of people for the time being but certainly wound hum him later. This rare and exemplary quality of OPS only really makes OPS a leader close to the stature of Amma.

People can trust OPS as he is authentic, sincere and committed.

People although overwhelmingly welcome the proposal of merger between OPS and EPS, but many argue that Sasikala family must be totally and completely removed from the party and it must be done legally. EPS faction should not use some tricks to woo OPS just to get back the two leaf symbol and once it is done, OPS is shown the door. The entire people of Tamil Nadu must be taken into confidence only then the people can remain with OPS when such treachery is stage managed later by the EPS group, many say.

Many argue that OPS must be made General Secretary of AIADMK for the first 5 years so that he can ensure that the party is freed from the interference of the family. Further, during next election, OPS can ensure that right candidates are selected to contest and thereby AIADMK can be made as best political party in India.

If all AIADMK cadres have to comeback to party means, OPS must be made in the helm of affairs as people of Tamil Nadu accepts only OPS as their leader from AIADMK and not others. All those in EPS camp affiliated and syndicated with Sasikala family at least at perceptional level have lost their credibility and trustworthiness although some speak arrogantly in TV debates without knowing the truth that that they are sub-zero to people in the absence of Amma. OPS can to some extent fill the political vacuum created by Amma so that AIADMK cadres are guided back to the party.

OPS has already won the heart of people therefore OPS must remain hard and uncompromising on the issue to removal of family interference from the party.

Since AIADMK suffers the worst trust deficit, crowning OPS as General Secretary is not sufficient but AIADMK also must aligned with Modiji because Modiji not only commands great credibility and respect but also holds hope and aspirations of people of Tamil Nadu.

With the image of Modiji, AIADMK can be made to look differently and the party also can make difference to the state.

Elimination of dynasty and family rule in AIADMK also must translate to the state where the family and dynasty rule never return back to the state in some other form.

Dr S Ranganathan