AIADMK's Decade-Long Struggle to Fill Jayalalithaa's Leadership Void
Nearly a decade after the passing of J Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK continues to navigate a turbulent path in its quest to rediscover its identity and political dominance. Once tightly bound by Amma's towering authority, the party has endured years of leadership struggles, significant electoral defeats, and shifting alliances. As Tamil Nadu approaches another high-stakes assembly election in 2026, a critical question persists: has the AIADMK truly moved beyond the vacuum left by Jayalalithaa, or is it still searching for a leader capable of restoring its lost glory?
The Leadership Vacuum After 2016
Immediately following Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, senior party leader O Panneerselvam, known as OPS, assumed the role of chief minister. However, he struggled to fill the immense shoes left by Amma, whose gravitas and mass appeal had drawn oceanic crowds to her funeral at Chennai's Marina Beach. Her unmatched connection with the public, cultivated over decades, left a void that proved challenging to bridge.
OPS vs EPS: The Battle for the Party's Soul
The power struggle intensified as Edappadi K. Palaniswami, or EPS, rose to the top post in February 2017, demoting OPS to deputy chief minister. This rivalry strained the AIADMK, with both stalwarts engaging in a bitter duel that weakened the party and inadvertently strengthened the rival DMK. Legal battles ensued, with the Madras High Court and Supreme Court eventually ruling in favor of EPS, leading to the expulsion of O Panneerselvam from key positions.
The Sasikala Chapter and Internal Strife
Initially, the power struggle centered around the Sasikala family, with Sasikala—a close aide of Jayalalithaa—being unanimously selected as the acting general secretary. She appointed her nephew, TTV Dhinakaran, as deputy general secretary, but EPS later expelled the Sasikala faction after her conviction in a disproportionate assets case. Dhinakaran went on to form the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), leveraging Jayalalithaa's legacy for political gain.
Electoral Setbacks and Political Decline
Under Jayalalithaa's leadership, the AIADMK made history in 2016 by securing a simple majority in the assembly polls, marking the last election contested by both her and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. However, post-2016, the party faced severe setbacks. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it was reduced to just one seat in Tamil Nadu, a stark contrast to the 37 seats won in 2014. The 2021 assembly elections dealt another blow, with the AIADMK failing to retain power and the DMK's MK Stalin emerging stronger. By the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the party failed to win any seats, highlighting its decline from a formidable force to political insignificance.
EPS Consolidates Control and Future Prospects
EPS has since consolidated his control over the AIADMK, sidelining figures like OPS and the Sasikala faction. He positions himself as the undisputed leader, aspiring to challenge Stalin's leadership in the 2026 elections. On Jayalalithaa's birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute, recalling her as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator, while Sasikala hinted at launching her own party, invoking Amma's name once more.
BJP-AIADMK Alliance: A Full Circle
The BJP's ties with the AIADMK have evolved from the Vajpayee era to Modi's recent tributes, marked by alliances, ruptures, and reunions. Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the partnership as a "natural alliance," suggesting that combined vote shares could have led to victory in 2024. EPS has called the alliance essential to defeat what he terms an "anti-people" DMK regime, aiming to rebuild the party's lineup and take on a strengthened DMK without Amma's shadow.
As Tamil Nadu heads towards the 2026 elections, the AIADMK's journey reflects a party grappling with legacy, leadership, and promises. Whether the renewed BJP-AIADMK alliance will endure or prove short-lived remains to be seen, as voters weigh these factors in the months ahead.
