Infighting costs ADMK berth in Modi govt

CHENNAI: Infighting in the AIADMK cost the party a berth in the Narendra Modi government and possibly an opportunity to gain some heft after a disastrous defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.
Members of the Tamil Nadu contingent that arrived at the Rastrapati Bhavan venue in Raisina Hill on Wednesday evening looked grim. As the swearing-in ceremony went well into the night, there was no sign of either P Raveendranath Kumar or V Vaithilingam, the two names that were in circulation as ministerial probables. Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, deputy CM O Panneerselvam, S Thambi Durai, six state ministers and the party’s sole Lok Sabha MP Raveendranath, besides its Rajya Sabha members took part in the ceremony.
The BJP had offered just one berth to the AIADMK. Two sources in the AIADMK said there was disagreement over the choice. While OPS wanted it for his son Raveendranath, EPS opposed it. “There are so many seniors who should be given precedence. Raveendranath may be our only victorious candidate, but both father and son cannot enjoy such positions of power,” said a senior leader who did not want to be named.
OPS is also the AIADMK coordinator. Until the eleventh hour, the chief minister and his supporters were pushing for Vaithilingam, a key member of J Jayalalithaa’s core team.
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References

1. ^{^} Narendra Modi (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^{^} Lok Sabha (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^{^} Tamil Nadu (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
4. ^{^} Raisina Hill (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
5. ^{^} Rajya Sabha (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

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