The latest round of the spat between the camp of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and that of coordinator of the ADMK Workers’ Rights Retrieval Committee O. Panneerselvam and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam’s founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran is only reducing the possibility of rapprochement.About 10 days ago, Mr. Panneerselvam, while addressing reporters at his farmhouse near Periakulam, expressed his willingness to go back to the AIADMK “without conditions.” He also recalled in detail how Mr. Palaniswami had rebuffed the proposals of Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah for the accommodation of Mr. Dhinakaran’s AMMK within the AIADMK-led coalition during the 2021 Assembly election. The thrust of the former strongman of the Dravidian major in Theni district was on unity, without which the party would not be able to survive beyond the 2026 Assembly election.He made this offer when discussions were on, both inside and outside the party, regarding the implications of senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan staying away from a function organised by farmers to commend Mr. Palaniswami in Annur on February 9 for the Athikadavu-Avinashi Irrigation Project. Also, it was then that the Madras High Court had allowed the Election Commission of India (EC) to find out if there were rival groups staking claim over the AIADMK, and decide which of those was actually entitled to be recognised as the political party.However, Mr. Panneerselvam did not get any encouraging offer. Another senior leader, V.V. Rajan Chellappa, advised Mr. Panneerselvam to “remain silent” for six months and refrain from approaching courts on intra-party issues, if he really wanted the AIADMK to emerge as a stronger force. The latter did not waste time in showing his displeasure over the observation of Mr. Rajan Chellappa.To confound the matter, Mr. Palaniswami, a few days ago, wondered how a wolf and a goat could stand united or how weed and crop could make up for cultivation. Even though he did not take the name of anyone, the message was obvious.Reacting strongly, Mr. Panneerselvam, in a statement on Tuesday, said those who had no sense of gratitude would be thrown out in the 2026 poll. “Betrayal would definitely fall,” the former Chief Minister said. Even though Mr. Palaniswami has been speaking of forming a “formidable alliance” for the Assembly election, as he did for the Lok Sabha poll, there are, as of now, no signs of any such combination emerging. Functionaries in the AIADMK say there is enough time for their party to stitch up a “strong coalition.” Even though they do not say in so many words, it is evident that they have in mind, parties such as the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam, Naam Tamilar Katchi and the Pattali Makkal Katchi, in addition to the present allies, including the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).At the same time, they say that despite the AIADMK suffering a severe erosion of its vote base, Mr. Palaniswami is in no mood to have any truck with Mr. Panneerselvam and Mr. Dhinakaran. It is also a moot point whether the Dravidian major, with its latest vote share of 20.66%, will be able to bounce back even if it manages to build a “formidable alliance,” as its arch rival, DMK, and its existing allies, are expected to receive a minimum of 40% votes under the given conditions.Published - February 25, 2025 11:22 pm IST