Pandian admission raises eyebrows in AIADMK

By R. Ilangovan

MADURAI, OCT. 29. The decision of the AIADMK high command to admit the controversial former Deputy Mayor of Madurai and DMK rebel, Mr. Misa M. Pandian, into the partyfold has caused widespread resentment among cadres and leaders in the southern districts.

The entry in the AIADMK of this diehard associate of Mr. M.K. Azhagiri, Madurai-based son of the DMK chief, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, has, however, has put the party in a superior position in the 72- member Corporation Council for grabbing the post of Deputy Mayor. ``But that is a lame excuse to allow him in. The post is politically insignificant here'', says a senior party leader in the city.

Many wonder how a `political orphan', who was discarded by the DMK for his `anti-party activities', could be rehabilitated by the AIADMK, which has performed well in the local bodies polls. ``The party's image will get a solid beating in the city'', feels an AIADMK councillor, who claims that except the urban secretary, Mr. Matchakumar, no one knew about Mr. Pandian's move. Even the two Ministers from Madurai district were kept in the dark.

A senior AIADMK functionary, however, points out that the admission of Mr. Pandian is a strategic move as Mr. Azhagiri, after luring three independents to the DMK, has stated it will win the Deputy Mayor post. The open declaration, it is said, has irked the AIADMK high command, which, after a detailed discussion, decided to admit Mr. Pandian.

The swift move has not only rattled the DMK but also surprised the Azhagiri camp, to which Mr. Pandian belonged till recently. Though the DMK won the Mayoral contest handsomely, the performance was unsatisfactory in wards, thanks to rebels supported by Mr. Azhagiri.

While agreeing that the former Deputy Mayor has been a strong grass roots worker, the AIADMK men are not willing to gloss over his controversial past. The DMK high command was forced to suspend him from the party for his alleged involvement in some incidents of violence which rocked the city following the murder of CPI(M) councillor Leelavathy. He was so powerful then that even the city police were made to eat humble pie and cases registered against him, were withdrawn for `lack of evidence'.

But when Mr. Azhagiri became estranged with his father and distanced himself from the party, violence broke out in which acts many of his loyalists, including Mr. Pandian, were alleged to have been involved. Mr. Pandian got involved in a roadside brawl on the Ring Road. And when he was cited as one of the accused in the murder of a city financier, the DMK decided to keep him at bay once and for all. Denial of ticket for the civic poll, however, did not prevent Mr. Pandian from contesting and retaining his ward.

Now his switching loyalty, political analysts feel, will neither weaken the DMK nor bolster the AIADMK, as expected. But it causes embarrassment to both sides.

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Section  : Southern States
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