AIADMK’s IT Wing in disarray, post EPS & OPS merger

CHENNAI: Though it has been nearly three months since the Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam factions of the ruling AIADMK merged, the merger is yet to be properly solemnized in the ranks below.
A facebook post by AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP, Maitreyan, last week, on monsoon rains impacting the lives of the public in Chennai and suburban regions, highlighted the simmering discontent.“Even though the ministers and officials are taking the requisite steps, the cadres are being kept in the dark by the party functionaries in the respective areas. Even I am kept in the dark,” he had stated in his post, highlighting the internal differences in the party.
One need to just take a look at the happenings in the AIADMK’s IT wing to understand the reality. Even as the opposition DMK is focused on strengthening its IT arm, in the AIADMK, which was the first in Tamil Nadu to jump on to the IT bandwagon, things are in a disarray.
Soon after the OPS rebellion in the party, the party’s then general secretary V K Sasikala had sacked the IT wing secretary Singai G Ramachandran and replaced him with V V R Raj Sathyan, who was the joint secretary. Post the merger of the EPS and OPS factions, Ramachandran is now back at the helm.
Now, the Raj Sathyan team has launched a short film, featuring actress Kasturi, to create awareness about dengue and steps to be taken by the people, on behalf of the party’s IT wing. The film will be screened in cinema theatres shortly. The team has also established a ‘support centre’, which can be reached by people during emergencies like heavy rain, floods and other natural calamities.
Singai Ramachandran, however, says that the latest short film was not done by the party’s IT wing. “It could have been done by someone, since there are several members who have volunteered to be part of the IT wing,” Ramachandran told TOI. ”On behalf of the IT wing, we had already created a video to create awareness among public. In addition, we have formed volunteer teams to support the needy public during emergencies across the state,” he pointed out.
Raj Sathyan did not wish to go deeper into the internal differences in the party. According to him, the idea is to enhance the communication levels between the government and the people, especially the needy. “Though the government machinery is taking prompt measures, as could be seen during the recent rains and related havoc, these are not getting portrayed properly,” feels Sathyan, who continues to lead a team of IT professionals for party’s support.