Edappadi Palanisamy, Sasikala�s nominee, takes oath as Tamil Nadu chief minister

Chennai: Ending the political stalemate in Tamil Nadu, Governor C Vidyasagar Rao sworn in Edapaddi Palanisamy  as the new chief minister on Thursday. Palanisamy took oath the Raj Bhawan, along with 30 other ministers. Interestingly, Palanisamy has retained the cabinet ministers who had switched to O Panneerselvam’s camp, including key rebel KA Sengottaiyan.

Although Palanisamy has formed the government, he is required to undertake a floor test in the assembly within the next 15 days. As of now, Panneerselvam has the support of only 10 AIADMK MLAs. It remains unlikely whether the floor test would once again lead to political instability in the state.

Palanisamy, a member of the backward Gounder community, would allow AIADMK to maintain the caste balance. With party supremo Sasikala belonging to the Thevar community, it was politically sound to appoint a Gounder as the chief minister.

The decision to allow Palanisamy to form government was taken by Governor on Thursday morning, after meeting both the rival claimants. Panneerselvam could only prove the majority of 10 MLAs before the Governor, prompting him to favour Palanisamy.

Palanisamy was appointed as the leader of AIADMK legislature party by Sasikala on Tuesday, shortly after the Supreme Court convicted her in the disproportionate assets case. The apex court ruling not only sentences Sasikala to four years of imprisonment, but also debars her from contesting elections for next 10 years.

About Palanisamy

The veteran politician is associated with AIADMK for more than three decades. The 61-year-old is a five-time MLA from Edappadi seat, falling in Salem district.

Palanisamy was included in the cabinet of Jayalalithaa in all the AIADMK governments formed since 1991. After Amma’s death, he emerged as a top loyalist of Sasikala.

 Sasikala was keen to appoint Palanisamy as the chief minister following Jayalalithaa’s death, but eventually allowed O Panneerselvam to take over the reigns.

Palanisamy was born in the Andhiyur village of Salem district on March 2, 1954. His association with AIADMK began in early 80s’, when he was part of student agitations.

In the previous Panneerselvam government, Palanisamy was holding the charge of Ministry for Highways and Minor Ports.

What’s next for Panneerselvam camp?

As of now, it has not been confirmed by the OPS camp about their next plan of action. The result of the floor test in Tamil Nadu assembly could determine the fate of Panneerselvam and his core loyalists. Although, it is certain that majority of the MLAs are backing the Sasikala nominee Palanisamy, there is still a possibility that Panneerselvam could destabilise the government.

As of now, Palanisamy claims the support of 124 AIADMK MLAs, only six more than the majority figure of 118. If Palanisamy camp succeeds in breaking away 7 MLAs from Sasikala camp, it could destabilise the government again in Tamil Nadu.