Silently With A Smile

Tamil Nadu’s accidental chief minister quietly assembles a strong front.

- G.C. Shekhar

IF ever there was an accidental chief minister, it must be Edappadi K. Palaniswami, EPS to friend and foe. During Jayalalitha’s time he flew under the radar. When she died, O. Panneerselvam was the natural suc­ cessor. After OPS was dethroned and Sasikala’s chief ministerial plans got nixed, her family expected Palaniswa­ mi to keep the seat warm till another nominee, TTV Dhinaka­ ran—was ready.

But the wily Palaniswami had plans of his own. He kept the post for himself and has been firmly entrenched in the CM’s chair for over two years. And he looks set to complete the government’s tenure till May 2021. He has proved to be the smiling assassin who has taken every one for a ride.