Here are 7 reasons why Panneerselvam is ready to dethrone Sasikala

Panneerselvam, known as a hardcore loyalist to MGR and then to Jayalalithaa, is a far better choice than Sasikala for Tamil Nadu. Here are the seven reasons why Panneerselvam is completely ready to take on Sasikala and retain the Chief Minister’s post.

1. Pandian’s revolt against Sasikala

Considering the current political scenario, the Pandian family revolt against Sasikala was the turning point and a good point for Panneerselvam to speak his mind out. Panneerselvam, who swears by Amma, has joined the Pandian father-son duo (PH Pandian and Manoj Pandian) in demanding a probe into Jayalalithaa’s death. Thus, post Pandian’s revolt, Panneerselvam has started a new wave of leadership in Tamil Nadu.

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1. People’s support

People of Tamil Nadu have waged a social media war against Sasikala with memes, protests and posts against Sasikala becoming the Chief Minister. This will also work in favour of Panneerselvam, as the voters do not have a problem with him continuing as the CM. In fact, many more people than expected have come out in support of Panneerselvam. However, the only stumble here is the difficulty OPS might have in proving that he can act independently and come out of his rubber stamp image.

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1. Jallikattu victory

The people’s perception of Panneerselvam seriously changed after the Jallikattu protests. Panneerselvam’s image originally was a rubber stamp. His hard work and long efforts during the protests paid off, as he was successful in allowing Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. Admittedly he was helped in this cause by the Centre, but it is still a feather in his cap. 

1. Quick decision maker

Panneerselvam’s mettle as the Chief Minister came out in full power during the Jallikattu issue. Apart from this, when Jayalalithaa was hospitalised, he effectively managed Jayalalithaa’s key portfolios without any major stumbles. He took needed decisions without much hassle.

Though he waited for so long to come out of the shadow of his mentors - MGR and Jayalalithaa, he looks strong and capable of taking decisions effectively for the benefit of Tamil Nadu. This image is better than Sasikala's, whose aim apppears to be just to sit on the CM’s chair.

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1. His perfect game plan

Panneerselvam has proved that he will even leave the CM’s chair for the sake of the AIADMK. He did not pounce on the chair as soon as Jayalalithaa was dead. He waited for the right time. It might be that he was in talks with MLAs and MPs who were not happy with Sasikala’s way of running the party. It was only when tthe public and AIADMK leaders openly started making jibes at Sasikala, that Panneerselvam rose to the occasion and said “I am the Chief Minister”.

Though Sasikala claims to have the majority, it looks like Panneerselvam has a greater plan. he is certainly still in the game.

1. 48 years of experience

As against Sasikala, who has always been behind the curtains and never even spoke about politics, Panneerselvam has 48 years of experience in politics. He joined the DMK in 1969, when he was 18 years old. But when MGR broke away from DMK and formed the ADMK, Panneerselvam followed his mentor, thus becoming one of the founding members of the renamed AIADMK.

1. Three-time CM, various political roles

Panneerselvam has served as the chief minister for brief periods of time from 21 September 2001 to 1 March 2002; 29 September 2014 to 11 May 2015 and 6 December 2016 to 5 February 2017. In the last instance, he has claimed that he was forced to resign from the post by Sasikala.  

He has also served as the Leader of the Opposition in 2006, Minister of Finance, Public Works Department Minister too. So no one can say he lacks experience for the job.