Eps topples ops

Eps topples ops

Swearing in EK Palaniswami as Tamil Nadu CM is unlikely to end uncertainty.
Yesterday, Edappadi K Palaniswami became the second chief minister Tamil Nadu has seen since J Jayalalithaa's demise in December. He heads a 31-member ministry and has been asked by Governor Vidyasagar Rao to prove his majority in the assembly within 15 days. The development temporarily brings to an end an extremely uncertain phase in Tamil Nadu where the political executive was for all practical purposes missing over the last nine days. But political fluidity continues, and not just because the new government has yet to prove its majority. The legal challenge mounted by the O Panneerselvam faction to recent changes in AIADMK continues to make for an uncertain environment.
AIADMK's internal problems have cost Tamil Nadu in terms of governance.
The state today confronts long-term problems such as growing evidence of economic stagnation as well as an immediate challenge in the form of a drought. But decision making has been adversely impacted since Jayalalithaa's hospitalisation. Given this context, it is important for a government to be in place. But the absence of inner party democracy in AIADMK has meant that the Palaniswami government will be hamstrung till it wins the trust vote.
In addition, the legal challenge on VK Sasikala's appointment as AIADMK's general secretary is another source of uncertainty. Till the issue is clearly resolved, it will distract the current government.Moreover, separate legal challenges faced by TTV Dinakaran, Sasikala's nephew who was appointed deputy general secretary, from cases to do with violation of foreign exchange laws are unlikely to help. The entire episode serves to highlight the hollowing out of Indian democracy when political parties choose to function in feudal ways, which impacts governance as well.